Task Force: Gamma

Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

Qech left the debriefing with slightly more haste than she meant to, and headed straight for her quarters. "Lights" she said as she stepped through the door and sat down behind her desk. She didn't even bother to change her ripped and stained uniform that she had been wearing since early that morning. She sighed apprehensively as she turned her computer console toward herself and sent out the transmission to her fiance on Trill. After a few seconds, his smiling face appeared on the screen.

"Davynn, I was wondering when I wa- What happened to your clothes?" Taj pointed toward the bloody tear on his fiance's sleeve.

Qech smiled. "Ripped it."

"That looks like blood to me, unless you've gotten very sloppy with... What's that earth condiment again?"

"Ketchup."

Taj laughed. "Humans come up with the strangest names for things." His voice trailed off slightly as he looked at her. She was smiling, but there was something behind it that wasn't being said. "You've been sort of quiet thus far. Is something wrong sweetheart?" He looked concerned and slightly apprehensive.

Qech took a deep breath and exhaled much too quickly. "No, no nothing's wrong, I just... I'm pregnant." She watched the shock and surprise roll over his face at her words. Yes, she'd been a little forward but it was better not to beat around the bush with this sort of thing. "Taj?"

He shook his head as if trying to clear his thoughts by shaking them around. "Are you... Are you serious? Well, Davynn that's great! I mean, it would be better if you weren't in deep space-"

"You're telling me" Qech laughed. "I just found out a little while ago, and I'm still not sure it's sunk in yet."

Taj watched her for a moment, a dazed grin plastered across his face. "I love you" he said softly, his grin still firmly in place.

Davynn smiled. "I love you too. But I really should shower and change-"

Taj cut her off; "And eat and sleep and... well everything else you need to do to stay healthy. I hope you knocked off the Raktajinos..."

"Yes, yes... No more Klingon coffee. Trust me, I've already received the prescribed paranoia from Dr. Kiv; Advice I'd have given anyone else of course... But that coffee was my lifeline." She laughed.

"Well, I let you get to bed then" he said, still smiling broadly. "I'll speak to you again soon... Oh, and start thinking of some names! Personally I'm fond of Taj." He chuckled.

Qech rolled her eyes. "And what if it's a girl?"

He laughed. "Taj is unisex. I'm kidding of course, but really... Start thinking of names. It's never too early." He watched her for a moment and, deciding she looked incredibly tired, said: "I'll stop yappin'. You go get some sleep. G'night, love."

"Goodnight" Qech said softly, and she ended the transmission, sitting back in her chair with a smile.

Pregnant. I think I'm getting used to the idea already.
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 1:08 pm Post subject:

Once the meeting broke up, Ambassador Rolen began the escorted stroll back to his quarters. The security officer assigned to him said nothing as they walked down the halls of the Hartington, which for some reason seemed to be surprisingly empty for this time of day. For his part, Rolen kept up appearances, he didn't want these hostile strangers to view him as any more of a threat then they already did after all! His walk brought him to the door to the First Officer's office. He lingered there for a moment before the Crewmen Mavers put a hand on the Ambassador's shoulder to urge him to move on.

"We should be getting you back, sir."

Before the young Crewmen could protest any further, Rolen reached out and pressed the door chimes to the Commander's office. As the two of them waited, the Vorta looked back to Mavers, his wide smile never faltering.
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

Qech was just getting to the point of making herself get out of her chair and head for the shower when the door chimes rang. She ran a hand through her hair and sighed.

"Come in."
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 3:58 pm Post subject:

The doors slid aside, revealing the slight form of Ambassador Rolen and his Security Escort. Rolen beamed as he stepped into the room, Crewmen Mavers following closely behind.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry I couldn't..."

Crewmen Mavers was cut off by Rolen, though the Vorta didn't appear to recognize his interruption as rude. On the contrary, his voice was cool and calm, as if he were talking with an old friend.

"Commander Qech, I'm glad to find you well. I was wondering if I might have a moment of your time..." his facade of control faltered for only a moment as he gave his escort a sidelong glance, "Alone, that is?"
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

Qech's eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of the Vorta. As much as she tried to push the feelings of mistrust out of her mind, they wouldn't go. It annoyed her greatly that he spoke to her as if they'd known each other for years. Well fine then. If that's the game he wants to play then we can be best pals.

She looked up at the security escort. "It's alright Crewmen. Why don't you wait outside."

Mavers hesitated for a moment, clearly not liking the situation, but eventually bowed quietly out of the room. Qech was left alone with the painfully dramatic Vorta, who was still smiling at her like some clown on a particularly potent pain-killer.

She leaned against her desk, feigning the same faux-friendly calm that he himself was projecting.

"Can I help you, Ambassador?"
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 6:15 pm Post subject:

Rolen eyed Mavers as he reluctantly exited the room. With the closing of the door the Ambassador turned his attention back to Qech. He watched her lean against the desk. She tries so hard to be strong... he thought to himself as he took a step towards her.

"Can I help you, Ambassador?"

For the first time since she met him, Rolen's smile faded, morphing into a quasi-concerned expression. His voice was laced in sympathy, though why he would care was beyond her.

"Actually, Commander, I was wondering if I could help you... after that display back in the Conference Room I was simply concerned. I am surprised that your Captain was able to so completely ignore the signs however."
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

Qech's face fell into an obvious glare. She was way too tired and stressed to play these games. She spoke slowly, and with no lack of distaste for his bold statement.

"Actually, Sir, I'm not sure exactly how my personal life is any of your business. I'm not completely sure of what signs you're talking about, and I'm pretty sure that whatever you thought you might have seen you have completely misread. And since last I checked the Vorta were not telepaths, I doubt you have much of a leg to stand on in this argument."

She stared at him for a moment, trying to calm the cold rage that had flared up inside her at his assumptions. What right did he have? He didn't know her. He'd been on this ship long enough to maybe learn her name, and now here he was, playing counselor. She hadn't looked that stressed at the debriefing... Had she? Who else had noticed? Whatever the case, she was sure that this pretentious Vorta could not possibly have guessed what her trouble was about. It was all bluster.

But then...

"Why are you really here?" She spoke aloud, folding her arms and inspecting the ambassador's body-language closely. "What do you want?"
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:38 pm Post subject:

The Vorta's smile returned as Qech's adversarial side reared its head. Rolen enjoyed a challenge...

"I may not be a telepath, Commander, but you shouldn't make blanket assumptions about a people based upon a single encounter. After all, how many Vorta have you known personally?"

He shook his head, the question obviously rhetorical, and pressed on.

"In truth, I noted a number of things during the meeting that struck me as odd, even off after one takes even a moment to glance over your personnel file, which I have done... eidetic memory, comes in handy when you're a diplomat."

He began to tick off what his personal observations were, without giving her time to comment on his access to secure Starfleet personnel records.

"One, you declined the offer of a Raktajino, even though you are a habitual imbiber of the substance. Two, your reaction towards the Captain when he offered it to you was quite curious. Given the history between he and your previous host, and the uncomfortable feelings that must bring up, I am forced to conclude that there is something you may not wish to share with him... at least not yet. Considering the limited number of issues that could have arisen in the time since you last spoke with him in person... your Away Mission, your limited personal time last night and your recent visit to sickbay, I am forced to conclude that it's something biological, given the limited time we're talking about. It's my opinion that you have some sort of medical condition you don't want him knowing about. If I'd have to wager a guess I'd say you're pregnant."

Rolen stood, unblinking as he waited for her to respond.
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

Qech looked daggers into the Vorta. Her anger had mounted to the point of explosion, but she did not give him the satisfaction of yelling. Her voice was low, but clear:

"Get out."
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uvek · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:02 pm Post subject:

Qech's intercom bleeped. Uvek's voice came over the speaker.

"Commander, are you all right?" he asked. "Ensign Mavers indicated he has been asked to leave Ambassador Rolen alone with you." His voice indicated complete disdain and even some anger.
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Live a life of action...not reaction.

Captain David Brennon · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:02 pm Post subject:

Ambassador bowed his head, his calm, peaceful visage never faltering.

'Of course, Commander. Good day."

With that, Rolen turned on his heels and stepped out. He was joined by Crewmen Mavers as he started down the hallway towards his VIP quarters. To all who could see him, his smile remained plastered on his face, but only he knew that it has secretly been replaced, replaced by a real smile. A smile of triumph.
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

"Commander, are you all right? Ensign Mavers indicated he has been asked to leave Ambassador Rolen alone with you."

Qech tapped her combadge, a little harder than she meant to, as she angrily watched the Vorta bow himself out of the room. Her voice held obvious traces of her recent fury when she responded.

"It's alright, Lieutenant... He was just leaving."

She stood there for a few moments, contemplating how such a deceitful man could ever have stepped foot aboard the Hartington.
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uvek · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:26 pm Post subject:

"Of course, Commander. Sorry to disturb you." came the reply.

Uvek tapped his comline closed. "Computer," he started. The computer bleeped. "24 hour sensor lock and tracking on Ambassador Rolen from this moment. Alerts to me whenever he nears or enters sensitive areas of the ship, as identified by our security procedures." The computer chimed as the tactical officer's orders were recorded.

"Uvek to Koester, please report to the bridge."
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Live a life of action...not reaction.

Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

After taking a few moments to calm herself (or at least make the attempt) Qech finally left her office, glad to find the hallway was devoid of conniving Vorta. All she wanted was to get to her quarters without bumping into anyone else, change out of her bloody field uniform and take a shower. She walked with her eyes down-turned, barely watching where she was going.

Her visit from the Vorta had been unpleasant, to say the very least. She didn't trust him as it was, and now she almost felt as though she was being blackmailed. It was a bit of a strange thought, considering the idea of having a baby had just begun to set in as a happy one; not something you can blackmail someone with. Still... Something about his need to prove to her that he'd pried so effortlessly into her personal life had really gotten to her.

Of course,she thought, 'getting to me' may just have been the point of his visit.

Qech continued the trek along the hall back to her quarters; and she could swear that the hallway was stretching itself out just to spite her.
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