Temvalaere (Judgement)

Posted on Tue Apr 25, 2017 @ 9:23pm by Fleet Captain Rhea Kennit & Lieutenant Nicole Anderson & Senior Chief Petty Officer Samantha Summers

4,602 words; about a 23 minute read

Mission: Silence
Location: Brig

Looking up at the sound of the door opening, the security officer on duty snapped to attention when he realized the Captain had entered. He wasn't sure how to react, she was wearing a uniform of all black, the only insignia she wore was that of Starfleet Intelligence, Special Operations Unit. "Where is the prisoner?" Kennit asked.

"In her cell.." the duty officer replied.

"Have her moved into interrogation one." Kennit ordered.

"Right away Captain."

Scrambling from his desk seat, the duty officer hurried to do as bidden. The Captain was different somehow, dressed in the uniform of a career intell officer she was sonmehow unnerving, though he wasn't sure if it was the uniform or the ice in her voice that sent the chill down his spine.

Entering the holding area, he said "Get up Summers.."

'Summers' shook her head as if to remove any cobwebs from it. She slowly got up from her bunk and faced him.

Wasting no time, he swiftly secured her in handcuffs and ankle restraints then walked her to the interrogation room where she was left alone to wait.

When the Captain entered she looked at where Summers stood and said with a nod toward the table and chairs, "Have a seat. Since the XO and security staff have had little luck with you..I'm here to get to the heart of this little problem you've caused me." While speaking, Kennit set a neat leather case on the table.

'Summers' looked at the offered seat and then at the Captain. " Captain...I need to..." 'Summers' stopped talking and slightly smiled. " You're not all you 'appear to be' either Captain. I'd prefer to stand, if you wouldn't mind?"

Listening, the Captain reached into the case and withdrew a simple tool from inside. A specially designed device, it fired a bolt normally used to repair hull breech damage with a temporary patch. She didn't speak, simply pointed the device and depressed the trigger sending a bolt slamming into Summers' left foot effectively nailing her in place where she stood. "Fine." The Captain put the device back in the case then withdrew a nail file and sat, leaning back and starting to file her neat, manicured nails as she said (ignoring the pained cry from Summers) "Stand there then until you decide you are willing to tell me what I need to know. I'm in no hurry."

'Summers let out an howl as the bolt slammed into her foot. She looked down at her foot and watched green blood spurt forth. "*That* hurt.." She bent down and pulled it out of her foot as green blood gushed out more easily. 'Summers' looked at the bolt in her hand then said to the Captain "My name is Karee, of the Tal Shiar. Ask me what you'd like to know, and I will reply to the best of my ability."

"Karee, of the Tal Shiar." Kennit echoed. "What are you doing on my ship? What were your orders? Who issued them? What did you think you would accomplish here? And remember: I'm being quite...sociable." The assimilation tubules in her arm snaked out, flashing in the light before retracting back into her fingers. I could simply take what I want from your mind. The process would be most unpleasant for you, and would leave you, at best, a drooling mindless husk assuming your survived."


'Summers'/Karee looked at the Captain, then at the bloody bolt she was holding in her hand. " Well, I certainly *don't want*to end up an 'mindless husk,' so I'll tell you what you'd like to know....." Which she was about to do when Hunter appeared, followed by the Doctor.

[Sickbay]

Nicole pulled sat up from her position bent over a scanner and rubbed her neck. She checked the chronometer and sighed with relief. Ensign McKenzie had been, impressively, on time once again and was now in charge of Sickbay, and Nicole was ready to go off shift. *And,* she thought with relief, *off in five, four, three, two--*

Poking her head into the medlab, a confused and slightly alarmed looking Nurse Mirina said, "Doctor? We have a call from the duty officer in the Brig.

"Kelly, Doctor McKenzie is--" Nicole started to say, then sighed. "And?"

"He says...the Captain has 'impaled' Chief Summers foot to the deck..."

Nicole blinked, but her expression didn't change. "And?"

"I...I believe they want you to come down and treat her wound," Mirina said.

Nicole looked around her station and idly moved a few things into a 'better' position, stalling slightly. "All right," she said. "Tell them I'm on my way." She stood and grabbed her black bag, walking out of Sickbay, already planning what she was going to yell at the Captain, and then what she'd yell after the Captain ignored her first outburst.

[Interrogation]

At approximately the same time the brig was calling Anderson, they were also calling Hunter who was preparing to leave the bridge and informing him of the Captain's actions. Sighing deeply, he assured them he was on his way. Rising from the center seat he headed for the nearest lift to take him to the interrogation room. He knew Rhea had a bee in her bonnet over Summers and he also knew she was capable of doing anything to get answers she wanted. So he wasn't particularly surprised by this course of action. Arriving moments later he found Rhea, calmly sitting, doing her nails dressed in black while Summers stood hold some type of bolt in her hand which was slick with green blood. "If I had known you were wearing black, I would have worn mine as well." He said by way of greeting, knowing Rhea knew his 'background.' He glanced at Summers and then back to Rhea. "What did you shoot her with?" He asked conversationally.

Picking up the implement, Kennit held it up for him to see...as well as the fact it was loaded with more of he hull plate bolts. "Want to see how it works?"she asked, aiming the device at Summers' once again..

"An impressive interrogation device." Alec admitted "Ah no not just yet. I get the idea of how it works. You'll have plenty chances to show our 'guest ' if she fails to provide the answers you want. Besides you don't want to waste all your.... um bolts before you've even gotten started." He finished, keeping his voice even.

Nicole walked into the room, and immediately took in the sight of the blood on the floor, the thin metal rod in the captain's hand, and sighed slightly. She walked over to Summers and pushed her back in her chair, grabbing her foot and pulling it up to the table, ignoring her cry of pain.

She set her bag down in a blood-free corner, trying to ignore the blood smell around her and pulled out instruments, and finally a laser scalpel. She cut the woman's boot a sock off, letting them fall to the floor as she grumbled her complaints. She pulled out a derma-sealer and sterilized and stitched the wound quickly. After a moment, she wiped her hands clean, sterilized them and let Summer's foot fall back to the floor. She put her instruments back in her bag and stepped back, glaring at the Captain. "Don't make me do that again," she said.

Leaning back slightly in her chair, the Captain paused filing her already perfectly manicured nails and replied "Ro-way tahw-way?"

Nicole let out a growl from the back of her throat, her eyes burning red.

'Summers'/Karee looked at the Doc and slightly smiled. " Nice job, Doc... " She shook her head...." That 'Summers,' she *still* thinks she's the real one. She keeps trying to ' get out' and talk. You want to talk with her, or should I just continue with what you want to know?"

Turning back to the prisoner, the Captains voice held an unmistakable note of menace as she said, "Continue? You have done nothing but stall and attempt to play mind games and frankly.." she said slowly as she reached into the bag and withdrew a hypospray loaded with a deep emerald green colored drug in the clear vial, the color alone was enough to identify the banned drug as quadrhyzilophonine.. a potent truth serum with permanent debilitating side effect such as seizures, hallucinations, and even known to cause permanent catatonic states in sunjecys administered the drug by Section 31. I'm tired of it."

'Summers'/Karee looked at the Captain and slightly smiled..."Ok, I'll start at the beginning..Being an member of the Tal Shiar, I was recruited for an undercover mission, which was to infiltrate the Federation's Starfleet Service. At least, that's what I was told. That is what I am slowly remembering...you'll have to be patient with me...it has been a 'few years,' you know. Anyway, from what I've gathered , the *real* Samantha Summers is...either being held somewhere, or not alive. I took her place in Starfleet, I *literally became her.* I *was* her, with all her memories and feelings...and 'she' had to go and get herself pregnant...I mean I guess I did...anyway, that 'thing' and the shock of what happened must have caused some ' hormonal unbalance,' which triggered my ' coming out, ' to soon. Thinking back on it...I'm beginning to believe I was supposed to *die* with all of you. Anyway, I switched the basic wiring in this ship from positive, to negative, and some one on the Star Base * was supposed* to do the same, *so,* that when the ship docked and made contact...you'd have an ' negative-negative' contact, resulting in an 'positive' reaction...and boom...there goes the ship, and there goes the base. *But,* you folks found out...and it seems those on the Base also found out...*or,* it never happened.. Which leaves me to believe this: I was set up...by the Tal Shiar...to get back at the Romulan Senate....and think it is because my Father is an member of said Senate....which is currently negotiating with the Federation...much to the surprise and 'frowning' of the Tal Shiar..I was supposed to die..either in the explosion..or killed by your Captain in one of her 'Borg' rages...." Karee frowned. " I was *set up!* Karee turned to the trio. Captain, Doctor...I am officially requesting asylum and protection..in return I am willing to divulge all information pertaining to the Tal Shiar I have knowledge of."

Alec's eyes widen slightly as Rhea withdrew the hypospray full of quadrhyzilophonine. He knew it's side effects, heard the menace in her voice and knew she spoke the truth when she said she was tired of it. He listened as "Summers' began to speak and tell her story and what a story it was! He felt a little as a third wheel when Summers addressed Rhea and the Doctor and ignored his presence. He held his tongue on her request waiting instead to hear what Rhea had to say on the matter.

The Captain didn't speak for a long moment, then at last when she did speak ..her words were not in Standard...

But Rihan.

"Arhem irre'ukhe hwi. Arhem irre Tal Shiar." With a shake of her head, she added this time in Standard. "Gonna have to do better than that.. I have ...encountered agents of the Tal Shiar before and... mmmmm.. You don't even strike me as the type.."

Alec observed Summers as Rhea spoke and he had to agree with her assessment. Summers didn't strike him as the typical Tal Shiar operative. "Maybe she's trying to lull us into a false sense of confidence with this story." He put forth.

"And she isn't pregnant," Nicole said. She held up her tricorder. "All tests show negative."

'Summers'/Karee nodded. " Well, there goes *that* theory. In a way I'm glad heck knows I *was* a bit worried over it. But...I am a bit confused...I wonder if the wound I sustained from that tall red headed fellow initiated my ' coming out?' " 'Summers'/Karee looked at the group. " Well.......," then looked at the Captain..." *You* don't strike me as one walking around with ' Borg implants,' and still giving out orders. But anyway...." She turned back to the full group. " I'd like to know what it would take to convince you....I've given you my story..I've no doubt that if I were to be returned to Romulus I'd be dead before the day ended...personally, I don't want to die....and it's obvious to me that the Captain here ( pointing at the Captain, ) thinks I'd be better off dead two weeks ago....is there someplace on the ship(turning to the Captain, ) and I *don't* mean outside..., that I could do something useful until at the least you hear from your Star Fleet what's to become of me, and hopefully let me plead my case to them?"

In response to the prisoner's little speech, the Captain began to laugh. The sound was not at all mirthful as she
Authentic, slowly nodding her head before answering in a low, vicious tone "You're right. I never thought I'd be in the position I am now.. especially not after this.." here, she reached out with her hand and in an instant Summers' hand was implied to the interrogation table by two Borg assimilation tubules which had snapped out from he fingers, sliced through the Romulan's hand and the retracted with the same speed. No nanites were injected, and Kennit then grabbed Summers by the hair at the nape of her neck, leaning in close..so close her lips nearly brushed Summers cheek as she finished, her voice still soft and..chillingly cold. "I was always much better at ...other duty assignments.. and now you are trying my patience. Who. Gave. The. Order. For. You. To. Come. Here?"

Alec started to move but drew up short and stopped as Rhea spoke to Summers in a deathly cold voice. "Captain! ...... Rhea!" he blurted, hoping to get her attention and stop her from doing anything she would later regret.

Nicole stepped forward and grabbed his arm, holding him back. Now was not the moment to have the "good cop" get his kneecaps broken.

Karee looked at the Captain, then the others...then back at the Captain....and sighed. " All right....members of the Romulan Senate and the Tal Shiar that are, as you might say, ' in cahoots ' with each other.... *They* want an war between the Romulan Empire and the Federation... *They* sent out operatives ' here and there ' to cause ' destruction and mayhem, ' and eventually get both sides to declare war against each other for a 'final confrontation.' And before you 'politely ask ' no, I don't know whom the other operatives are."

"If that's true, there's no way the Senate as a whole voted for it," Nicole said. "The Empire hasn't had this many diplomatic ties with the Federation since the late 23rd century. So it's either a rogue operation behind the back of the Empire, or this is a rogue agent."

Alec stared at the CMO and her hand on his arm.His eyes shooting daggers at her. He was about to say something but drew up short, realizing there was a method to Rhea's madness and perhaps the doctor had saved him from also incurring Rhea's wrath. Meeting her look, he gave a nod albeit a reluctant one of thanks and watched to see what unfolded next.

Karee looked at Lieutenant Anderson. " Right on both counts..a rouge operation with a few rogue Senators conspiring with a few rogue members of the Tal Shiar. And ' your's truly ' was an * rogue withing rogues. * They thought I was with them...but I was a plant, planted in by planters...try saying that fast three times...my Father, Kaldor, a member of the Senate, was approached by them. I had already been 'planted,' by them - Father thought I was to help the Empire, not help start a war no one could win.... interesting....I remember eating tapioca pudding in the mess a while back...have to try that again soon. * If* the Captain will allow it. Anyway, I know this might sound silly, but I want to help...certainly *don't* want to die... "

Alec looked over at Anderson and then to Rhea and finally his gaze settled on Summers. His eyes were cold and when he spoke his voice was even colder. "So we're just suppose to take your word you want to help? You're right it does sound silly. As far as dying, even that is open to debate. if you can accomplish your mission an destroy this ship."

Karee looked at Alec. " Well, it *looks like* I won't be able to accomplish that now, does it? Think of it this way. If nothing happens to this ship and the base, which didn't, 'they' - and by they I mean the conspirators on Romulus will figure I got caught and then they will just go to another plan. They have to be stopped. And I want to help stop them. Because if they aren't stopped, they'll try again, soon. And my Father will die to keep any loose strings from unraveling. "

"What I see.." Kennit answered. "Is that you continue to withhold the names you know I want. You
Instead speak of your father..as of by bringing your family into the discussion yup hope it will play on my heart." Kennit paused, "it won't help you. I don't have a heart in that sense. Name those behind this plot..."

Karee/'Summers' looked at the Captain,then sighed. " Very well. Two members of the Romulan Senate, Kardon and Navok, are working with Kafar - the 2nd in Command of the Tal Shiar , whom has some 'lesser known' and lower members also in the plot. . Both factions have minions working for them; and no I don't know *their* names. Oh, you *might* want to check your Star Fleet too. It is possible, and perhaps probable that some of them want this war as well."

Alec listened silently as Summers hemmed and hawed about what she knew until she finally gave up the names of two Romulan Senators and claiming she didn't know anymore. He had his doubts about that, seeing as she gave up information in dribs and drabs to stall Rhea from impaling her foot or injecting Borg nanites into her. He turned and looked at Rhea to see what her next move would be.

Kennit was shaking her head thoughtfully. "Kardon and Navok. Just that. No mention of their house-clan.. no reference to rank within the Senate.. I'm not sure I believe you.."

Karee/'Summers' shook her head. "Kardon is an member of the Military Appropriations Committee. Navok is with their Agriculture Procurement Committee and is the brother of Kafar, the Tal Shiar's Second in Command. Kardon is from the house-clan of Kazon, and Navok & Kafar are of the house-clan of Nafar.."

Alec sighed disgustedly as Summers gave the latest scrap of information. It was becoming increasingly clear (to him) that Summers was only giving them the barest minimum of information. Not to mention she was playing a very dangerous game with Rhea. One she could soon find herself on the short end of.

'Summers'/Karee Looked at the group. "Ok, let's get down to the nitty gritty. Calmly tell me *exactly* what you would like to know regarding this situation, and I will do my best, no [expletive deleted] around."

Nicole's combadge was vibrating to the point she was afraid it would bounce off her chest. She tapped it once to silence it and walked up to face her, sizing her up. She knew exactly the kind of person she'd be dealing with if what they'd been told was true, and she was honestly amazed the prisoner had been as forthcoming as she had been. But she knew cover when she heard it, and that information wasn't exactly a secret to people in certain circles.

Finally she hefted her bag and said, "who is T'var Koral?"

'Summers'/Karee literally froze in her tracks. "What do you know of him? Why do you even speak his name? He has eyes and ears *everywhere!*" 'Summers'/Karee began to shake and began to look at the others as if they were less a threat than a name.

Anderson smiled at Summers, making the girl shudder again and turned to the Captain, leaning in and muttering something in her ear, then walked out of the interrogation room.

The Captain waited until the Doctor had left, then reached into her case and withdrew a long, intricately engraved kaleh. The ceremonial weapon glimmered cold in the light. The kaleh hissed against its sheath as she slid the elegant weapon free, revealing the deep streak of crimson which swirled through the polished, razor sharp blade. Setting it the table, well out of reach of Summers, while keeping her hand resting lightly on the hilt. "The Doctor is quite nosey, and clearly has been poking about in matters of record best left undisclosed."

Alec looked as Rhea withdrew the kaleh. it was a nasty ans lethal weapon and he knew without a shadow of a doubt that Rhea knew how to use it....expertly. He looked to Rhea as he addressed his question to her. "I agree on her being nosy. How did she get access to records that should be above her security clearance?"

"Undoubtedly through her position as Chief Medical Officer..." Kennit replied, her eyes focused on Summers, who was staring a the insignia of the House of Korval delicately engraved into the weapons blade, at the dark sheen of the polished and carved bone handle chin she slowly caressed with her fingertips..

Alec bit off any reply. It would take away from the issue at hand which was Summers and what she knew. However when he had the opportunity he would talk to Rhea about the CMO and her butting into classified information that she should have no clearance to.

'Summers' had been listening to the two of the talk, all the while keeping one eye on the blade on the table, which she kept as far away from as possible. Speaking as quietly as she could she asked," May I ask, if possible, where you procured that blade? "

The Captain glanced over at where Hunter watched, smiled. Just a little. And returned her gaze to where Summers or Karee or whatever she wanted to call herself, and said "I took it from its former owner. Call it a trophy.. "

'Summers' looked at the blade. " ' Former owner ' hmmm? Sooo, that could mean..He's dead and you took it after his death; or killed him and took it; or someone else killed him and you took it..or..it doesn't matter. You have it. Does his ' House' know that you have it? May I look closer at the scabbard? I give you my word, though it may not mean much at this time..that I won't try anything, as you say, 'tricky.' "

It was hard to imagine how someone could smile with such a softness of expression, speak in so mild a tone and yet convey a level of lethal promise yet the Captain's response carried such a calm, lethal power it radiated from her. Lifting the blade, she said "Oh it's former owner is alive and well, and I understand he carries the gift I gave him when I took this little trinket from his possession.." As she spoke, lightly she twisted the blade and ran it's tip in a slow curving motion along her own left cheek and neck without touching the razor sharp edge to her skin. Tracing a line, as if tracing out a scar.. the scar which she knew well .. as did Summers/Karee.. that marred the otherwise handsome features of the Tal Shiar Master T'var Koral.

Resheathing the blade, she continued "You and I both know you have no need to examine the sheath. The blade alone, with it's crimson mark within proves it. What you don't know. . is who I am. What I have done. Although," she added with a slight roll of her eyes and a little shake of her head. "You know at least . . one little detail of my past assignments now."

Tucking the blade away, she said "And now.. I know why you are here. He went to a great deal of trouble to try and avenge himself. All for a little knife.. and a scar he could have had removed. Quite the child .. T'var Koral."

Karee just looked at the Captain and smiled. " I've heard T'var Koral called *many things,* but never an 'child.' I have secrets, *you* have secrets, and you now have the ' upper hand. ' Like I have said before, I don't want to die, what will you do now?"

Alec listened to the two woman converse. "All this for a knife! You wanted to blow up the ship for a knife! I ought to shoot you myself!" His anger obvious. "And you know what? I just might." He let the threat hang in the air.

Karee turned towards Alec. " Your ship was *never* in any danger. I did what I did in order to 'force her' ( pointing at Kennit ) to revel herself. "

Alec looked at Rhea and then back at Summers, his answer was simple in it's elegance. "What!?"

" I wanted to thank the person that had 'done' what had been done to him, in person. You see, he 'went after' several members of my family clan of T'von. " T'von Karee looked at the Captain, and brought her right arm over her chest. " You have done our family a great service, and for that I am thankful, my sword is yours. "

Kennit gazed at Summers/Karee for a moment and then burst into laughter.

Summers/Karee looked at the Captain. " If you are laughing with me, that is fine. If you are laughing *at me,* please explain. "

The Captain could barely speak in between peals of laughter, "Make.. me.. reveal...". She couldn't continue, sitting down with a thump into the chair closest to her, at this point nearly howling with laughter.


For his part, Alec looked between the two women, a look of confusion on his face. "Ah Captain, if you don't mind. What's so damn funny?"


Seeing the expression on his face just made her laugh even more, holding her own sides as she was laughing so hard now it was making her sides ache...

Alec continued to look at Rhea, his confusion growing. "Captain?" He pressed.

The hilarity of it was overwhelming. Flush her out? As if she'd been hiding?

Who and what she was was something she couldn't hide if she'd wanted to!

Alec looked at her, a smile slowly appearing on his face as he shook his head from side to side. "Captains, I'll never understand them." He muttered softly.

After another span of time to regain some measure of self control, the Captain said simply..."Return her to her cell. I need to file a report on all of this."

Alec tapped his combadge, "Security, get in here and take the prisoner back to her cell immediately."

Summers/Karee blew out a breath of air and sat back down.


TBC










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