Paul sat in the science lab spinning on his chair. He was waiting on an analysis of the Mulluran files to be completed and had nothing to do in the mean time. He caught his reflection on one of the consoles and noticed for the first time how bad he looked after the attack. He looked away and back at the data files. Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted as the door opened.
"Hello, Ensign Deveraux?" Asked Kitty. "I'm Commander Mallory. I'm here to ask if you've made anymore headway on those Malluran files." She took in his appearance. "No offense, but you look like you were in a bar fight . . . and you didn't win . . ."
"Bar fight? hah! Bar fight my ass! I woz assaulted Mz. Mallory. And no, I aven't finished with zhe files" He replied turning back toward the console.
"You were assaulted?" she asked, approaching his console. "What happened?" Her green-brown eyes surveying him carefully. She always took in a person's bosy language. It was an occupational hazard.
"Stupid prick.. E walked staright on to zhe command deck and attacked me for looking at im. Station security wouldn't do a sing about it and zhe only disciplinary action he recieved woz being sent to iz quarterz." Paul slammed his fist on the table. "I ate that guy! I ope E diez!"
Kitty suddenly got a vivid image of Captain Wallace in her mind that had come from Paul. She raised and eyebrown and looked at him. "And who was this Officer?" she asked, already knowing.
"Only zhe Captain of zhis bloody ship! Stupid ass hole!"
She nodded. "I was wondering," she said. "So I take it you don't like him too well . . . and that he doesn't like you either for that matter . . ."
"E az got to be zhe worst Captain ever! Fair enouf, e can win in a fight, but e doezn't believe iz crew, putz no faith in zhem, e az no real intelligence, e is useless at diplomacy and not zery skilled at anysing zhat I ave seen. I dunno what zhe rest of zhe crew see in im, but in my opinion, e's no better zhan zhat rat kelly!"
"Well, I didn't know what to think of him, other than the fact that I know he isn't too happy to have me here. But its more than me ousting him out as diplomat . . ." she explained. "And what is this about Kelly?" This had her curious, though she was constantly picking up images from this man.
"Firstly, I don't sink Wallace will like you now. Not if E can see zhat you are better zhan im. Turst me on zhat one. Kelly, E iz zhe worm zhat set me up and got me in zhe brig for a month"
"Set you up how?" she asked, now actually getting concerned. She could feel the truth in his words before picking up the ingination of the whole event in his mind.
"Someone on zhe station gave weaponz to zhe Morristown colonists. Zhey set sings up for me to take zhe fall. Wallace believed zhe scrappy evidence e got, and sent me to zhe brig for it"
"So you were the one . . ." she replied. "I had heard that . . . Well, I can already tell it wasn't you . . . So Kelly did this? Lt. Kelly that's the Captain's Assistant?" she asked.
"Thats im alright. I mean, zhere iz no evidence zhat it woz im yet. But I know it waz im." Suddenly Pauls console started bleeping. There was an incoming message for him from SB901. "Excuse me one moment mon amis." Paul switche don the view screen and Tarik appeared.
"I'm glad I was able to contact you," Tarik said. "Good day, Commander Mallory. I have some news for you regarding the charges against you, Paul."
"If it iz not good newz, I am not interested"
"As far as you are concerned, this is very good news. Commander Garek was able to trace the weapons we recovered at Morristown back to the person who authorized their replication. That person was not you. In fact, we have the guilty party in custody now."
"You ave?!" Paul grabbed Kitty and kissed her on the cheek unable to control himself. "Oo iz it?" E asked?
"Lieutenant Kelly. In addition to the evidence we uncovered--which Garek is sending to the Captain now--Kassia also picked up on his guilt. In attempting to escape, unfortunately, Kelly assaulted Kassia. Suffice it to say that that act has not gone unpunished," Tarik said, smiling in such a way that his Romulan features made him resemble Satan.
"I ope you saved some for me mon amis. When I get back, I am going t o give im a piece of my mind!"
"I may have to convince Troy to leave you some," Tarik said. "Troy had to be bodily restrained from strangling Kelly in Sickbay. The only reason I left any is because I want to see that bastard sweat under a court-martial!"
"Zhen it may be an idea to get im off zhe station before i get back" grinned Paul
"If he's still alive at that point. We may have to move him to the colony's security facility--too many people want a piece of Kelly right now! Garek and I had to detail new arrivals to guard him as it is!"
"Excuse me," Kitty asked. "You said that Kelly assaulted Kassia. Is she okay?"
"Ohh, I forgot all about er! I ope she iz alright" added Paul
"Physically her injuries were only moderate--concussion, some abdominal bleeding, a couple of broken teeth," Tarik said, his voice dark. For some reason, the broken teeth disturbed him most of all. "Mentally, I'm not so sure. Kelly did threaten...other things. We may have to add a charge and specification of attempted rape before we're done." The others saw Tarik restrain himself emotionally.
"Tarik, are you goin to be ok mon amis?" asked Paul, now over his initial excitement, he was starting to worry about the only friends he had on SB901.
"I'll be fine. I'm more worried about Kassia right now. Kelly'd better count himself lucky that he didn't do more than just make the threat!"
"I would take a shuttle back, but I doubt Wallace would let me, and I dont wanna zteel it or else I may find myzelf in zhe brig permanently. I wll be back az zoon az I can. Zend Kassia my bezt wishes."
"No; the negotiations take precedence. Those colonists don't have anyone but us. You're the man right now, Paul. Once Wallace gets the evidence Garek is sending, and hears about Kelly, I've no doubt that you'll be restored to full rank and privileges. Just for the record," Tarik added, "had your case gone to court-martial I would have served with honor on your defense panel. I knew all along you couldn't possibly have set up those colonists!"
"Thank you, zhat means a lot to me."
"It is but the obligation of one friend to another," Tarik said solemnly. "I need to get going now--still have to plan the extraction phase--but congratulations, Paul. I'll extend your best wishes to Kassia. Commander, at your next opportunity I'd like to share some insights with you on the negotiations. As you said, I was in the Orion Sector during that conflict. I've seen what works and what doesn't."
"Thank you, Colonel. I'd wanted to talk to you in the next day or so regarding security arrangements after the cessation of hostilities."
"Good day--and good luck!" Tarik said, smiling, as he signed off.
"Sorry about zhat kiss zhere Commander. I got a little carried away" Paul said, blushing uncharacteristically
"Thanks quite all right!" she replied with a smile. "Though usually if a man is going to kiss me, he has to buy me a drink!" She laughed as their eyes met.
"Maybe I should buy you a drink zhen?" suggested Paul.
"Could be a good idea!" she smirked. "Though I'll have to limit myself to one drink per day on this trip. I have to keep a clear head for planning the negotiations. Otherwise, I might actually let you buy me a few drinks!" she winked at him.
"You fancy a drink now? It will be a while before all zhese computer analysis will be compleeted. Maybe you can tell me what you sink of Captain Wallace on zhe way?" said Paul.
"Sure!" she replied, "That sounds like a plan while we wait."
Paul turned off the machinery and headed for the door with Kitty following.
As they walked down the corridor Kitty tightened the pony tail her brown hair was pulled back in. "Well, you want to know what I think of Captain Wallace, huh?" she aslked. "Well, I don't really have an opinion of him yet. All I know is that he does not think I have the ability to negotiate based on some past personal problems I have had . . . But it never interfered with my work . . . As a matter of fact, I have an exemplary record! I would have to one to be send into a war zone to negotiate! But I guess he doesn't see it that way . . ."
"E sinks zhe only way to win a war is to fight it out till zhe end"
She nodded. "That's what I thought . . ." she said. "I'm going to have to change that somehow. Its better to end this with as little bloodshed as possible . . ."
"I agree. I ave seen far too much bloodshed in my time. Ave you ever eard of zhe Proktolan campaign?"
"As a matter of fact, I have . . . You were part of that?" she asked as more images flooded her mind of a ship and dead crew. "I'm sorry . . . I shouldn't have asked . . . I didn't mean to bring up bad memories . . ."
"No no, itz ok. I ended up serving as XO on zhe discovery for most of zhat fatal mission. Near zhe end, I actually became CO for a few dayz. Back zhen I thought a lot like Wallace. Fight, fight, fight, but I ave learned zhat it iz sometimez better to talk your way out of sings. Check my medical records and you can underztand why I ave come to zhis decision" he smirked.
She nodded as they arrived at the Mess Hall. "I don't think I'll need to look at your medical records for that . . . I get a feeling that you've been through a lot in your time . . . Much like myself, only different circumstances," she said.
"Anysing you care to talk about?"
She shook her head. "Oh no . . . I'm sure you don't want to see me start to cry. Its not good for a Commander's image when she's on duty anyway!" Kitty smiled gently.
"I will," she replied, as they got their drinks and found a table to sit in the lamost deserted mess hall. "So you know Kassia pretty well then too?" she asked.
"But of course. Me and Kassia ave known each oser since we arrived on zhe station. We ave become pretty close friends."
"She seems like a very caring person," Kitty agreed, "Though I've only met with her twice . . . I feel bad that she's been hurt . . ." Kitty's mind was suddenly preoccupied with her own thoughts about the event to pick up on Paul's.
"She iz a very caring person, and very emotional too.. It took er a long time to get over a similar attack on er first away mission. I iz quite worried about er."
This troubled Kitty a great deal. Suddenly, she began picking up Paul's emotions too and the incident he spoke of. "And this one seems worse in a lot of respects," she added. "During that similar attack, she hadn't been sexually threatened . . . "
"No, zhis will be a tough one for er to get through. She iz going to need er friends around er. I wish I could be zhere. Zhere iz no reazon for me to be on zhis ship! I could ave carried out my analysees juzt az well on zhe station." Paul sighed and stared into the stars ahead.
She sighed and took a sip of her drink. "I wish I could do something to help you get back to her . . . I think you're right and she is going to need all the support she can get."
"Maybe you could pull some strings with zhe captain up zhere for me?" Paul thought for a moment. "On zecond thoughts, don't bother."
"Wait!" she cried. "I might have a better idea!" She seemed suddenly excited. "You have something running loose on the station dubbed Smelly Jelly, right? Well, I think perhaps, if Colonel Tarik is amiable, maybe we can get him to request your return! I mean, they would want their best Science Officer to deal with it, right?" Her green-brown eyes were bright with her idea. After all, it could work!
"You know, it just may work." He smiled. I'll call Tarik, let im know what we are planning as soon as I get back to zhe lab."
"If you don't mind, I wouldn't mind being in on that conversation. Unless you would rather leave it private, of course," she said, with her bright smile. She loved feeling like she was accomplishing something, and it made it better that it was for someone she actually liked! She didn't know what the Captain had against Paul, but she found him very enjoyable.
"I don't mind. Let's do it now" said Paul hurriedly leaving the table.
She finished her drink and ran after him. It took them less time to get to the lab than it had to get to the mess hall with the excitiment coursing through them.
As soon as Paul could get to his seat, he'd already called Tarik. It wasn't long before they connected and Tariks face appeared on screen. "Allo again Tarik."
"What can I do for you, Paul?" Tarik asked. His advance planning for the attack having already been finished, there was little for him to do but sit and wait at the moment.
"Tarik, I am coming back, but I need your elp"
"And how do you plan on coming back to the station?" Tarik asked skeptically.
"Zhat's where you come in. I need you to create a reazon for me to come back."
"Oh? Is there a particular reason you want me to create?" Tarik asked.
"Iz zhe smelly Jelly still on zhe station?"
"As a matter of fact, I reported a possible outbreak at MacDonnell's some time ago," Tarik said. "I've not heard back from the Science section on that one. And Banshee Squadron apparently had an incident involving the jelly that nearly cost the loss of a pilot. I think the services of our most capable Science Officer on staff would be needed here at the station, where more extensive facilities are available," Tarik said with a wink. "For that matter, there is a minor issue with the tricorder settings that I need to discuss with Captain Anderson. And, I was recently contacted by the Chief Science Officer aboard another vessel regarding research. It would be best if I handed that off to a more capable researcher as well."
"Now I ave ma reason, all I need is permission. Could you contact Wallace for me? I sink it may be better it coming from you rather zhan me"
"You may be right," Tarik said. "I'll discuss the matter with Garek and you should hear from us shortly," he qualified, knowing that Garek probably wouldn't mind Deveraux back either--if only because the command staff back at the station was short-handed with the loss of Kelly.
"Sank you Commander for zhat idea. I don't sink I would ave thought of zhat." Paul said once the comm channel was closed.
"I'm glad I could help. I know how much Kassia means to you as a friend . . ." she said, "And I'm sure you'll be much happier and productive off this ship." She smiled softly.
"Away from Captain Wallace, I sink so! I'll just take zhis moment to warn you about a few thingz wiv im. Try and avoid going into iz ready room or office, E iz very touchy feely if you know what I mean. And zhere ave been afew rumours about im and zome Bolian transexuals late at night in iz quarterz. Zo be careful around im ok?"
She laughed at that. "I will be," she said. "When I get back to the station you and I will have to do some real drinking together!"
"Definately!"
Richard Wallace was in the Arizona's ready room when Tarik's message came through.
"Captain, I do not wish to disturb you but there are some critical science issues that have come up at the station. These issues require Mr. Deveraux's attention," he said, listing the issues he'd discussed with Deveraux earlier.
"Can't Lieutenant Green handle these things?" Wallace asked.
"We've brought the Smelly Jelly issue to Ms. Green's attention but have had no results. And Lieutenant Wang, along with Captain Evans aboard the USS Ronin specifically requested the services of our best Science Officer. That is, without a doubt, Mr. Deveraux. Besides, do you really want him on board once the evidence Garek sent you comes to light?" Tarik asked.
Wallace nodded. Deveraux was insufferable enough without cause! "But what about the Mullaran files?"
"They can be decrypted here just as well as there," Tarik said. "Probably faster, since the station has a more powerful computer network. And if everything goes down the toilet you won't want to be caught with them aboard the Arizona--the Jem'Hadar are not known to treat suspected spies with mercy."
"And with those files on board that's precisely the conclusion they'd come to," Wallace said, groaning. "Damn! All right, how do you propose to get Deveraux back to the station? We need our small craft here for the negotiations."
"I'll come out there with a Hawke transport. I'll bring Lieutenant Green with me so we can make the exchange--she should be able to fill your requirements for a Science Officer on the mission. Deveraux will come back with me."
"Very well," Wallace said. "This is very highly irregular, Tarik," he glowered.
"Agreed. But so is a Federation officer setting up a civilian colony for a massacre. Recall your Earth history, Captain. Something very similar happened on the Polish-German border in September 1939. The Second World War was the immediate result," Tarik replied ominously. The implications of Kelly's crime were becoming deeper and deeper. "Kelly was your adjutant. If someone who knew both of you--and who has a reputation for not keeping his mouth shut at critical moments--should make the connection known more broadly, you could be drawn down along with Kelly. Think of your own reputation as well, Captain."
Wallace was silent for a moment as he considered the implications. "In that light, perhaps Deveraux would be more effective in a post farther from the action. Very well. How soon can you get here?"
"The transport and Lieutenant Green are ready. We will be at your location in five hours."
"Very good, Colonel. Wallace out." Wallace cut the connection. Has my entire staff gone crazy on me? he thought, not quite shaking the feeling that he'd been buffaloed.
Deveraux's comm channel opened again. "Paul, this is Tarik. Start packing your bags--we're on our way. Well rendezvous with the Arizona in five hours,"
"Oh, merci beaucoup, mon amis!" Deveraux exclaimed. "I don't know how I can ever repay you for zhis!"
"Whatever it is, it had better be big," Tarik replied. "This is the farthest I've ever gone out on a limb for anyone! I'd better get moving," he finished as he broke the connection.
Paul returned from his quarters to meet Kitty. "I take it it went well?" she asked, noting the big smile on Deveraux's face.
"Ah, oui!" Paul exclaimed. "Ze Captain was practically begging me to leave! Tarik will be here een five hours wizh a transport to take me back!" At that moment, Paul was wondering what he could do to repay Tarik.
"A favor like that is going to be awfully hard to repay," Kitty replied.
"I have zaved hees neck almost az many timez az 'e's zaved mine," Deveraux said. "'ey! 'Ow did you know zhat was what I was zhinking about!"
"As I've said before, Paul, I'm a telepath," Kitty said, laughing. "Didn't you catch on sooner?" she asked. "The Proktolan campaign, and the Smelly Jelly?"
"Well, I zhout you had read ze filez on ze Proktolans," Paul said. "But ze Jelly was not een ze files just yet! Ah! I am zo ztupeed!"
"I won't tell if you won't," Kitty said. "When I get back we'll have that drink. For now, you'd better get ready to leave!"
Tarik strapped himself into the pilot's seat of the Hawke armored transport. Well, this isn't the front, but it'll do, he said. Lieutenant Green sat in the copilot's seat. "You mean, the Captain requested me personally?" she asked.
"As you know, Captain Wallace has never been completely satisfied with Mr. Deveraux's services as Science Officer. For such a critical mission, I imagine he wants the best person for the job," Tarik explained. "Besides, there are fewer opportunities for Deveraux to get himself into trouble here on the station."
"You're right. I was wondering why the Captain took Deveraux to begin with. This makes much more sense."
More than you know, Green, Tarik thought as they disembarked.