Maruu was alone. The only friend he had now was Benton. Benton knew the truth behind what was going on, and thus had not lost his respect for the captain. Loran, M'Terrn, and all the others were following their orders, but they did not respect the captain anymore. Some had even taken that dislike to a whole new level. Take K'Lara's attack for example. Under the best of circumstances, she was not an easy woman to deal with. The same day, when K'Lara had attempted to kill the captain, Dana had also displayed her hatred of the captain.
I won't calm down! How dare you kill your own people! Have you lost your senses?!" The tears were falling off Nori's face. "Nori to Security! Captain's Ready Room, on the double!"
Benton's voice came back to Nori. [Aye, Aye, Ma'am. On our way.]
Nori ripped off her pips and threw them at the captain just as the security team, led by Benton, came through the ready room door. Two security members ran to each side of Nori and grabbed her arms taking her into custody.
Nori pulled herself away from the security guards, but she lost her balance and fell, smashing her head on the corner of the table knocking herself out cold.
Maruu tried to catch her, but missed. Sure enough, Nori was out. Maruu looked at Benton.
Maruu had a strange expression in his eyes. As usual, Benton struggled to interpret what he saw in another's face. Loss? Hurt? Despair? He just couldn't tell.
"I wish I had never started this," Maruu said softly. He looked at Dana's immobile form, her closed eyes, and closed his own eyes for a second. "The price has already been much too high." He touched his forehead to hers. He felt her pain and wished he could make it go away.
Benton sighed. He loathed having to intrude on this moment. "Agreed, Sir. However, now that it's started, we have to see it through or else all is lost, and the Virgo will in all probability be destroyed." He paused for a moment. "Hopefully the crew will understand when it's all over."
Maruu recovered himself, and stood. By this time, the medics that Benton's team had called had arrived, and began tending to the Doctor.
"Take her to Sickbay, under guard, Benton," said Maruu.
"Are you sure that's necessary, Sir?" asked a hesitant Benton. This charade had already gone on too far. Benton was absolutely no good at perpetrating falsehoods. He hated to add yet another!
"Yes, Benton," said Maruu, with emphasis. He knew what Benton was thinking. "Don't worry too much. It won't be for too much longer."
Sitto Lan arrived at last. Maruu said to him, "Ensign Lan! Please take Dr. Nori to Sickbay and have her head injury looked over."
Benton added, "Keep her under guard at all times. I'll be there in a few minutes."
"OK, Chief," said Lan.
Lan's boys took a wobbly Dana Nori out of the Ready Room, on to Sickbay. Benton turned back to Captain Maruu. The Captain was looking at the closed ready room door.
"Captain, this brings up something I've been meaning to ask you," said Benton.
Maruu dragged his attention from the closed door to his Chief of Security. "What is it, Lieutenant," he asked without much interest.
"Well, Sir, Commander K'Lara has been in the brig for some time now. I was wondering if it wouldn't be wise to confine her to quarters instead."
Maruu thought for a while. "Very well."
"Aye, Sir," said Benton. "There's one more thing, Sir."
Maruu waited.
"I have a message from Mr. Loran, Sir. About the engines." Benton handed Maruu the PADD he had gotten from Loran with the transwarps specs.
Benton arrived in Sickbay. Dr. Nori was being attended to by Ensign Francesca Milano and the ship's EMH.
Francesca was saying, "I don't know what you mean!"
"Just hold this like that," said the EMH doctor, with feigned patience. Milano complied. She held the transneural synapsifier above Dr. Nori's head, and it started to beep. That was a good sign.
The EMH took a quick look at Benton and his men and said, "Lieutenant, are you and your goons really necessary here?"
"Yes, Doctor. Quite."
The EMH looked skeptical but kept on working.
Francesca moved around to the other side of the biobed where Benton was standing, all the while making sure she kept the medical instrument over Dana's head. "Hi, Benton," she smiled.
"Francesca," nodded Benton politely but kept his attention on the doctor. "What is her condition, Doctor?" he asked.
The doctor's facial expression grew more annoyed, Benton hadn't thought that was possible. He said, "I'm a little busy, Lieutenant. Ensign Milano, would you be so kind as to get Nori's medical report for the Lieutenant here? Maybe then he'll get out of our way and let us do our work in peace."
Francesca jumped at the chance to help Benton out. She returned quickly with a PADD, and handed it to Benton. "You're never in MY way, Benton," she said.
"Thank you kindly, Francesca." Benton looked the PADD over. It held several pages of technical medical information. According to it, Nori had sustained a concussion. She would most likely be unconscious for a few days.
After finishing reading all the info, Benton handed the PADD back to a delighted Francesca. He tapped his com badge, "Benton to security."
[Security here.]
"Set up a duty roster for maintaining a security post in Sickbay."
[Aye, Sir.]
"Lieutenant! I must protest!" complained the doctor.
Benton held up his hand to stop the doctor's verbal onslaught. "Captain's orders, doctor. Dr. Nori is to be watched at all times."