RP Log: The Maintenance Code
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| 2026-02-08 20:06 | |
- Science Lab 9P3 <Emissary Station>
Less than hour after her trip to Bajor with Ko, Davis can be found here. She's starting to look visibly worn down, but judging by her pace, that's not slowing her down yet. It's not clear exactly what she's doing. A few open-topped storage crates, large enough for a person to carry easily with both arms, are arrayed on the work consoles. She's buzzing around, picking up loose articles to throw into them.
Ko enters the science lab and speaks to Davis. "How are things going here?" She asks with a hard glance at the storage crates. "Planning on going somewhere?" Her question delivered with a warm grin.
Davis's eyes snap to Ko as she enters. She musters a brief smile, as well as an equally brief (and slightly sarcastic), "Great!" But she's back to work a moment later. "I am 'securing' the lab," she says, a joking note still in her voice. "This is probably a little overkill, but I drafted my proposal with the idea of maximizing the chance of approval. So all non-essential equipment must go." She stops for a moment. "Care to help?" her voice is casual, but her eyes are totally begging for a hand.
Ko moves across the room and tries her best to help Davis with packing up the boxes. "Is it really necessary to move all of this?" She asks with a smirk. "He's not accused of murder." Her eyes glance to Davis. "And, he's older. I don't think he presents much of a threat, even if he's accused of theft."
"Just put everything that's not bolted down into one of the crates. Most of it isn't delicate," Davis says. She pauses in place for a second. "Well, not that delicate. Maybe *gently* put everything in the crates. I'm going to work on the access controls." She starts tapping at the computer inlaid into one of the tabletops, her eyes locked on the screen as she talks. "It's not strictly necessary, no. Believe me, I know how you feel. But my goal is to stabilize the situation, and I don't actually have that much authority. My promotion to Lieutenant JG was academic, I have no command experience, and I'm not even a line officer. I'd have been put into the botanist billet in any other situation, or on any other ship or station. So if I have to jump through hoops, making sure to dot my I's and cross my T's to maximize my chance of command approving my plans, I'll do it."
Ko does as instructed and continues to help Davis put everything that isn't bolted down into the crates. "Have you spoken with Dr. Tikar about him being approved to use the lab?" She asks as she works. "I'm sure he'll be happy to get out of the cell. He kept complaining that he'll need more than a computer to get everything done."
"As soon as we're done here, barring any other unexpected developments, I'll go talk to him, and we can hopefully start the process," Davis states. "I honestly haven't had the time to finish my initial conversation with him." She looks over at Ko briefly. The look on her face says she really has a question, but she instead just turns back to her computer and continues with her work. A few moments later, she adds, "The access controls and data logging are done. I just need to upload the data we gathered." She reaches into her pocket, pulling out the same dataclip she got from Doctor Vara, and plugging it into the console. She likewise starts to initiate some kind of data transfer between her PADD and the computer.
"Do you think that the both of you can get the code done in time?" Ko asks as she finishes loading up a box. "Without the Vulcans, I might add." She turns to face Davis, crossing her arms in the process.
Davis lets out a sigh. Her voice gets quieter and more subdued. "I genuinely don't know," is her reply. "I don't know enough to even put rough odds on it. All we can do now is try. I'm not sure how much help I'll even be able to offer, once we get started." She taps a few button on the PADD. "I will say that including or excluding the vulcans isn't really part of my calculus right now. They won't show up without an invitation from the Bajoran government, and they can't get here instantly, so they're a moot point in terms of resolving this particular emergency."
Ko nods seeming to understand the gravity of the situation. "I'm not a scientist. I'm not even supposed to be here...I'm just a pilot." She adds with a shrug of the shoulders. Her attention seems split. She looks around. "Are you needing any other help?"
"No," Davis replies. "The data should be uploaded and sorted in a moment, and I can move the rest of this stuff myself." She smiles, quite genuinely this time. "Thank you again for the help, lieutenant."
Ko nods at Davis. "If you need anything from me, just let me know." She says with a smile. "I'll try to be around when you work with Dr. Tikar. Just to watch. I'm not going to be much help with the nanites." Her hand waves as she moves towards the exit.
- Detention Center <Emissary Station>
[Brig Cell 1] Tikar is snoring away on his cot in his cell.
Ko is standing near the emitters of Tikar's cell. She watches him snore while leaning against the wall. Her eyes occasionally refocus on the forcefield as it hisses and fizzles.
Davis enters, her hurried pace contrasted by the look of fatigue on her face. She's flanked by two Starfleet and BDF security personnel apiece. How, when, and from whom she got the authority to drag them along is anybody's guess. She manages a wan smile at Ko on the way, but she heads straight for Tikar's cell, stopping a few feet in front of the forcefield. "Doctor Tikar," she says. She's not shouting, and her tone isn't aggressive, but she's clearly trying to be just loud enough to get his attention.
[Brig Cell 1] Tikar snorts loudly, but doesn't wake right away.
Ko steps away from the wall when Davis enters the room. She watches her try and rouse Dr. Tikar from his slumber. "Doctor!" Her voice louder than Davis's. "You have a visitor."
Davis waits, hoping Ko's louder greeting was enough to rouse the man.
[Brig Cell 1] Tikar snorts again, but this time he lifts his head and peers toward the exit. "Hmm? Who's there?"
Ko responds loudly. "Kelra." She looks at Davis. "And Dr. Davis." With her job done, she takes a step back from the forcefield and lets Davis handle it.
"It's time, doctor," Davis says. "If you're ready, we can begin work on the maintenance code. I've done my best to get everything ready as quickly as possible." She tilts her head a bit, trying to make sure he's fully awake before saying more.
[Brig Cell 1] Tikar blinks and sits up, swinging his feet off of the cot and onto the floor. "Time?" He blinks again. "Ah, kelra, and the good Dr. Davis." He yawns and runs his fingers through his messy hair. "Time? Time for what?"
Ko looks through the forcefield and says, "The Captain has approved for you to work in one of the labs." She continues to explain. "If you're not able to make it work, then, I think you'll be cleared to work in your own lab on Bajor." Her attention goes to the compliment of guards. "Under guard. In both cases."
Davis nods at what Ko said. "The lab is two minute's walk from here. I'm not sure how useful it will be, but we also gathered as much data as we could during a brief visit to Bajor, just before we came here. I'll also be supervising personally, so please make use of my assistance to whatever degree is useful. I'm not very well studied regarding nanotechnology specifically, but I have expertise in many of the other fields involved."
[Brig Cell 1] Tikar blinks again and gets to his feet. "You're taking me to a lab?" He clears his throat and shuffles over toward the forcefield. "This isn't some kind of trick just to get my hopes up, is it? You're not just playing with my emotions?" He stops just before the shielded exit.
Ko shakes her head back and forth. "Nope." She steps over to the standing console and opens the cell. "Not a trick." Her reply given with a look to Davis. "We're not like that."
Lieutenant (jg) Ko taps something in on the computer interface panel.
The forcefield over Brig Cell 1 fizzles out.
Davis doesn't have much to add to what Ko said, mustering a smile and a beckoning wave to Tikar. "Lets go. I'll explain more once we're there." She shoots a glance at the security officers, a wave of her head indicating for them to come too. She has already made the rough outline of what's going on clear to them, doing her best to impress upon them that Tikar is an older academic and not a particular security threat, and should be treated as politely possible within the bounds of doing their jobs. She heads toward Science Lab 3 with the group in tow.
[Brig Cell 1] Tikar reaches out as if to confirm that the forcefield is actually gone, then steps out of the cell and smiles. He stretches as if just being released from having his arms and legs bound with cords. "Well, show me the way then, my dears."
Tikar arrives from Brig Cell 1.
Ko waits for the security personnel to fall into Tikar's flanks before moving behind the group.
- Administration Hub - Level 9 <Emissary Station>
Davis takes a moment to peek her head out before actually leading the group here. She's really wary of running into trouble, even with security procedures in place. Not seeing anyone, she just keeps moving.
- Science Lab 9P3 <Emissary Station>
Tikar keeps following along, but notices how careful Davis seems to be. "Something wrong, my dear Dr. Davis?"
Ko answers for her, "I think she's concerned about the protesters." She follows behind the security team. Her head turns to make certain the door closes behind them. "Your fans, from another perspective."
Davis speaks to the security detail, her instructions brief and to the point. "You two, just outside the door, please. If it's not urgent, or a senior Starfleet or BDF officer showing up, please no interruptions." As that pair leaves, the door closing behind them, she continues to the remaining Starfleet and Bajoran security officers. "You two, just beside the door on the inside, please." And then she approaches the console by the entrance, speaking to the computer. "Computer, engage Davis Security Protocol 2." That all done, she finally faces Tikar. "I apologize for all of this. I leaned toward caution for the sake of getting approval from command. As for what Lieutenant Ko mentioned, there have been a lot of tensions. Once we're done with this work, I'll do my best to answer any questions you have. There's honestly still a lot that I'd like to discuss with you too. For now," she gestures to the console, "shall we? You have access to your own data, the scientific database, the programming utilities we have on hand, and all of the data we gathered on Bajor." The latter includes the shipboard scans from the Shakaar Edon, her tricorder scans, data from the physical samples she gathered, and whatever Doctor Vara gave her.
Tikar watches the security people do security things, then looks over the lab equipment. "All of my work is here?" he asks. "And what was that computer security bit all about? Have you restricted my access to my own work?"
Ko doesn't know anything about science. She moves to the edge of the room and listens to both Tikar and Davis. Her shoulder presses into the bulkhead as she continues to observe.
"Now's probably a good time to explain that in more detail. You will have access to your own data," Davis explains. "The restrictions prevent access to unrelated station systems. This console would otherwise have a fair degree of access, even in a science lab. I'll also need to approve any active uplinks or data uploads. And I'm required to let you know that attempting to circumvent these conditions may result in further access being denied." She holds up her hands apologetically. "Neither of us came up with these conditions. That's what command said we had to do to make this happen. I'm doing my best to make this work within the system I'm in. I know we don't know each other much beyond reading each other's work, but I'm asking you to have faith that I'm personally here to make this succeed, not to hamstring you."
Tikar waves away all the reassurances. "I don't give a damn about your station systems. As long as I have access to my files, that's all that matters to me." He steps over and starts reviewing various data.
Ko continues to watch as Tikar begins reviewing his work. She looks at Davis and comments, "If this works, I think there's going to be a spot for you in Bajoran history books." Her neutral expression flashing a smile at the woman.
Davis stands opposite Tikar at the table console he's working at, looking at the data he's reviewing. She explains verbally, to catch him up. "I gathered geological, biological, and meteorological scans of the area from orbit. I also took tricorder scans of the plants and soil near Doctor Vara's lab, as well as physical soil samples, the scans of which are in the data. She also gave me a datastick personally." She peeks up from the data to glance at him as she says that.
Tikar pauses and turns to Davis. "Nisah? She gave you a disk?" His eyes lose focus for a moment.
Major Toran arrives from Science Labs - Level 9.
Ko keeps leaning against the bulkhead while she watches both Tikar and Davies talk about the data disk.
Toran enters the lab, but doesn't interrupt. Instead, he moves to stand near Ko and silently observes the activity of the scientists.
"Yes," Davis replies. "I spoke to her briefly, to ask for her aid. I didn't get a chance to converse with her long, since I was in a rush to get back here, but she was doing a truly heroic job of holding things together as well as she could." She looks reproachful after a moment. "I hope me mentioning that wasn't a distraction. Hopefully we can get this done, for the sake of everyone down there."
Captain T'Shaav arrives from Science Labs - Level 9.
Tikar swallos hard. "how is she?" He's at a lab console, but he's not paying attention to it. Instead he's speaking with Dr. Davis who is standing nearby.
Ko is standing at the wall with a couple of the security guards. "We're not here to reminisce" She says to the room. "Every second we spend talking about her is a second that the nanites continue to break down."
Toran continues to listen, nodding to Ko. "Agreed," he says.
Davis looks squarely into Tikar's eyes, her expression resolute. "She's fine. As you might expect in these circumstances, she's tired and a little worn down, but she's fine. The best thing we can do for her is to make this work, Doctor," Davis replies. "Please. I need you to focus. You can do this."
The Vulcan captain enters the lab without ceremony. She walks over to Ko, the ranking Starfleet officer. "Status report," she requests.
Tikar nods once, then again. "Yes yes, you're right." He turns back to the console. "Have you uploaded the data she gave you into this system?" He goes back to reviewing the work.
Ko steps away from the wall to report to T'Shaav. "Lieutenant Davis and Dr. Tikar are working on the maintenance code for the nanites. We're hoping they're able to finish it here in the lab, Captain." She watches everyone. "If it can't be done, we can try with Dr. Tikar's equipment on Bajor."
T'Shaav nods briefly. She turns to the major and speaks, but not in a confidential tone. "Major Toran, I am informed that your government has decided," she doesn't say the word finally, but something about her may suggest it, "to request technical aid from Vulcan in this matter."
Toran nods to T'Shaav as she enters. "Hopefully, they can get it done soon," he says.
"All of the data we gathered is uploaded, Doctor. You should be able to access it from that console," Davis responds. "When you need an uplink to the nanites on the surface, let me know, and I can activate that."
Tikar taps away at the console, bringing up the data in question. "I see you have some recent scans and the current degradation status of the nanites. That's very good work, Dr. Davis. This should make things much easier. If you would please begin a quadrological expansion formula based on an entropy ratio differential of 0.92 to 1.08 milidynes per second, I'll prepare the maintenance overlay template."
Ko returns to leaning against the wall after reporting to T'Shaav. She watches as Tikar and Davis get to work.
T'Shaav comes to stand beside the major. She watches, but without putting eyes on her science officer, which could be a little intimmidating. "Any word of happenings on New Bajor?" She asks the major by way of conversation.
Davis taps away at her console. She is silent for a while after that request is made, seemingly quite focused on completing the task. When she's done, she looks up at Tikar across from her. "I've finished. The expansion rate is approximately 3.392. I've sent the full results to your console."
"Will that be sufficient?" T'Shaav inquires mildly.
Ko overhears T'Shaav talking about New Bajor. She asks, "Captain, do you think the Vulcans will help even with the government's request? Even if they do help, how is it going to resolve how many Bajorans don't want outside help?
Tikar doesn't answer right away. He ports over the results of Davis's equation and incorporates it into his code. He presses a few more buttons and creates a projection simulation of the formula they have created and watches it as the time compression displays the projections. "This... is good. It's very good. With this, we should be able to alter the base pairing ratio by just a few hundreths of a point in whatever direction is needed to optimize the restructure rate.. He smiles at Davis. "Excellent work Doctor. I hope you and I may have many opportunities in the future to work together." He downloads the entire program into a data clip and ejects it from the console. "All we have to do now is insert this into the comptuers in the lab on Bajor. The nanites will do the rest." He holds it up toward Davis.
Davis takes the data clip and secures it in one of her pockets. "I hope for the same, doctor," she says with a smile. "I have more I'd like to speak with you about, but I think you can understand the need for urgency right now. Unfortunately, I'll have to see you back to the holding area in a moment, so I can head to the surface quickly." She turns toward the gathering of Ko, Toran, and T'Shaav, approaching them. "Ma'am," she says with a nod of greeting, before turning to Ko. "Lieutenant, I could use a pilot to get me there as quickly as possible, if you wish to accompany me." Another look at T'Shaav. "If that's OK with you, captain?"
The Vulcan captain answers Ko's question. "Major T'Van, the Vulcan representative here, assured me some days ago that Vulcan is fully ready to act in Bajor's support once the government sent a request for assistant. I am confident the assistance shall come." She regards Davis and Ko together. "Permission granted. I shall accompany you this time. I am understandbly curious."
Tikar sighs and his face falls. He looks to Ko for a moment, then back at Davis. "I'm really not a threat to anyone, Doctor. Is it really necessary to put me back in a cell?"
Ko's body bends and flexes to push off of the wall once it's clear that Tikar is going to head back into custody. She shakes her head at Davis after she asks for a pilot. "Captain." She says to address T'Shaav while ambling up to the front of the room. "When I came to Emissary Station, you asked me what I thought about things between Bajor and Vulcan." Her hand reaches out for Tikar's shoulder once she's standing alongside him. A flash smile is given to the man. "You compared it to the Kobayashi Maru." Her head swivels back to look at the Vulcan. "Unfortunately, for you..." She taps her commbadge with a self-satisfied look spread heavily across her face. "I don't believe in a no win scenario."
Lieutenant (jg) Ko taps her commbadge and says, "IKS yuch Ha', 2 to beam up"
A brightening burst of dark red flickering light engulfs Tikar.
A brightening burst of dark red flickering light engulfs Ko.
Captain T'Shaav enters an alert code on the nearest computer interface panel.
A computer generated voice says, "Red Alert! All hands set condition red!"
>Intercom< Captain T'Shaav says, "Ops, track the beamout from this lab and get atractor beam on that ship"
>Intercom< Lieutenant Commander Valeris says, "Not detecting anything at the coordinates, Captain T'Shaav. No life signs, no ship."
T'Shaav says, "Follow me"
Davis only realizes far too late what's happening. "Wait . . . " She calls out to Ko, a frustrated, even mournful look on her face. When T'Shaav starts calling out orders, she's silent, but she falls in behind her after she's ordered to.
- Operations <Emissary Station>
T'Shaav says, "Deploy tachyon pulse as soon as the generator is powered"
[Viewscreen (52130)] A vessel begins to decloak
Valeris reports, "Two tachyon pulses emitted, Captain. Nothing..." she stops, "New contact, far outside tachyon pulse range. IKS yuch Ha'
T'Shaav says, "Hail that ship"
T'Shaav says, "On visual"
Captain T'Shaav enters an alert code on the nearest computer interface panel.
A computer generated voice says, "Alert status has been cancelled. All personnel, all sections, stand down from alert status."
[Viewscreen (52130)] Communication to IKS yuch Ha' refused. Connection closed.
"They refused the connection, Captain." Valeris reports.
T'Shaav says, "Plot there course and get me the hull profile. "
Valeris reports, "Klingon bird of prey, which model unknown at this range. Heading towards the Arawath Colony in Cardassian space."
T'Shaav says, "That is hardly logical. Hail them again. Lieutenant Ko personally."
Davis is clearly shaken and off her game, but she speaks up anyway. "Judging by his behavior, I don't think Doctor Tikar was a part of this plan." And then more quietly, seeming to herself. "I was about to suggest alternate accomodations for him too . . ." Seeming to catch herself, she addresses T'Shaav in her normal tone once more. "Captain, what do you think the Lieutenant's intentions are? If she was acting out of a desire to 'rescue' him, I thought she might approach Doctor Vara on Bajor next, but that doesn't seem to be the case."
T'Shaav says, "Mr. Davis, pull everything you can find on Lieutenant Ko. Everything. Her background, her service jacket, even her last physical. That is your top task. I want to know why she would be heading for cardassian territory."
[Viewscreen (52130)] Communications channel to IKS yuch Ha' open.
Valeris says, "Channel open."
[Viewscreen (52130)] When the viewscreen flashes on, Ko is sitting in the captain's chair of the Klingon bird-of-prey. "What do you want?" She asks with a beaming grin. "Would you like an encore performance?" Her body rocks forward to sit on the edge of the chair. "I thought it was great myself, but I didn't think you'd appreciate it."
"Lieutenant Ko," the Vulcan captain says. Her tone is no different than at any other time. But then, she is a Vulcan. "I do not currently understand the logic of your actions. Unless you are about to tell me that you are, in fact, a Cardassian operative who is taking Doctor Tikar to put his work to use in Cardassian territory." She arches an eyebrow.
Davis is silent as the two converse. She's keeping her composure for now, but she's looking directly at Ko from her console behind T'Shaav.
[Viewscreen (52130)] Ko's amusement has no bounds. "You won't ever understand." She licks her teeth gleefully. "You couldn't possibly comprehend the Bajor perspective, Vulcan. You're thinking is defective." Her eyes stay laser focused on T'Shaav. "Do you want me to spell it out for you? I'll make it simple." She taunts. "We. Don't. Want. Your. Help."
The captain meets Ko's gaze. "Yes, Lieutenant Ko. Spell it out for me, as you say. Make the matter plain. I am keen to understand two points. Why a capable Starfleet officer would throw away her career ofer a matter which was already on its way towards resolution. And less personally, you are going deeper into Cardassian territory. That does not make sense, as the problem you are aledgedly so keen to solve is on Bajor. If you would spell it out for me, start with those two things."
Davis still isn't adding anything to the conversation.
[Viewscreen (52130)] "Resolution?" Ko scoffs. "The one where the Federation can step in and save the day? The one that would keep Bajor under your thumb?" She pushes a button on the captain's chair. "You're stuck thinking that this is about crops. It's not. This is about Bajoran independence. Our freedom to make decisons for ourselves without interference."
[Viewscreen (52130)] "The Cardassians pillaged our world for decades. The Federation swept in to be our saviors." Her glee shifts into anger. "What did that get us? Have you even been to Bajor? We're completely dependent on the Federation. We're a vassal. Nothing more." She starts to laugh.
T'Shaav listens, sensing that the Bajoran perhaps is not done.
Davis looks to T'Shaav. "May I?" she asks simply, seeming to be asking for permission to cut in.
[Viewscreen (52130)] Ko waits while Davis interrupts her monologue.
"How is Doctor Tikar?" Davis asks simply. She looks tired. That much hasn't changed. The feelings on her face beyond that look complicated, though they don't show very much.
[Viewscreen (52130)] Ko stands from the captain's chair. "Dr. Tikar, Hero of Bajor and the Rakantha Province, is doing very well." She seems upset by the implications. "You'll hear from us soon. First, we have unfinished business with the Cardassians." Her eyes look to a Klingon standing behind her. The transmission ends.
[Viewscreen (52130)] Connection to IKS yuch Ha' terminated.
Davis stares at the viewscreen for a few moments, eyes drifting downward. "I did not see that coming. She almost seems like a different person. I can't tell whether there's something wrong with her, or I've been an enormous fool, or she's just that good of a liar. Honestly, it feels like all three." She turns toward T'Shaav. "Captain, I understand the haste needed with looking into Lieutenant Ko. If you want, I can do that now. But as a reminder, the crisis in Bajor is still looming. I'd like your permission to first get down to the surface and implement Doctor Tikar's maintenance program, to at least stabilize the situation for now."
T'Shaav let's out a long, almost but not quite inaudible, sigh. "DO it, Lieutenant. Commander Valeris can clear you for one of the shuttles that you may pilot. And do not regret things too much. After the report I am obliged to write, everyone from Bajor to the chief of Starfleet Operations is going to share that regret."
Major Toran arrives from Central Turbolift.
T'Shaav is turning away from the command console. She does not observe the lift. "Ask Major Toran to report to my office, yesterday," she says to her chief of ops.
Toran enters operations. "Yesterday, would be illogical captain," he says. "Is now reasonably sufficient? I figured it best to talk to you at any rate captain."
"One small request, before I go," Davis adds. "You will, of course, exercise your own judgment in your report, and I'm not asking you to do otherwise. But if you agree with me that Doctor Tikar didn't quite seem like a willing participant, please include that. Much more than any zealot rushing off to exact vengeance," this bit seems to refer to Ko, "he represents a real hope for Bajor. I've been rushing around so much that I never got a chance to fully confirm this via my conversations, but I also don't believe he's guilty of what I would consider intellectual property theft. Based on what little I've heard from him so far, I think his technology is closer to a clean sheet design gained from first principles learned at the Vulcan Science Academy. If his reputation and status can be maintained, Bajor still needs him, and I'd rather Starfleet doesn't paint him as guilty by association." She lets out a truly pained sigh here. "Though who knows how things will turn out. I truly hope they're not planning to do what I'm afraid they're doing."
T'Shaav regards Davis as the Human speaks. "Lieutenant, I cannot attest to the truthfulness or the falsehood of Ko's tatements concerning the doctor's involvement. I shall state only that much concerning him in my report. Your theory, if it were demonstrable, might help his case in his extradition hearing. Provided we ever see him again. Brief the Major on these events," she says," nodding to Major. "Because, Major, you will be speaking with your government shortly."
Toran nods to T'Shaav as she spekas. "I assume, you wish lieutenant Davis and myself to travel to the Capitol?" he asks. "Shakaar Edon has been put on a readiness posture, just in case. And now, a Klingon vessel as of yet unknown origin. I would wonder if it's related at all, even tangentially, to the battle module currently docked to Emissary Station." He shakes his head. "But that's a little besides the point now. We have 2 active situations, and really one we can do something about. Though, does Emissary Station not possess a tachyon generator captain?"
"I still need to implement Doctor Tikar's maintenance program, and it's still urgent," Davis states plainly. "The quicker you can get me back to Doctor Vara's farm, the better."
"Major, the vessel, the yuch Ha', carrying Lieutenant Ko and the doctor, whose level of participation in these events is unknown, was out of tachyon range by the time we could engage the pulse. SHe spoke with us, however. That ship is now on its way to the Arawath colony in Cardassian territory. To answer your more pressing question, yes, please escort my chief science officer to Bajor immediately to impliment the technical solutions she and the doctor derived just before his ... departure."
Toran nods. "Gladly captain," he says. "Lieutenant Davis, are you ready for departure?"
"I am," Davis replies.
The LCARS panel beeps at Captain T'Shaav as they modify the ship's roster.
T'Shaav takes a moment to remove Ko's security clearance from the station's computer. "Then be on your way." she tells the two. "Commander, you have ops," she says to Valeris, moving towards the lift at a brisk walk, her face even more ... unreadable than usual."
Toran nods and taps his badge. "Shakaar Edon, 2 to transport," he says.
A shimmering swirl of colour engulfs Toran.
Swirls of energy whip around your deconstructed body. Shimmering lumination dances about your form uncontrollably, dazzling every sense.
- Bridge <BMV Shakaar Edon>
Toran enters the bridge and starts giving orders. "Prepare to undock, bring us to internal power. Ops, get departure clearance, sfbaj frequency."
Davis beams up alongside Toran, falling in behind him as he heads for the bridge. She's quiet for most of the walk, and she stays that way as Toran starts to issue orders to his crew to get the ship underway. She doesn't take a station, simply standing out of the way for the moment.
A male Bajoran voice says, "Alert status has been cancelled. All personnel, all sections, stand down from alert status."
An echo runs through the hull as the docking clamps disengage.
Toran orders the ship underway and looks to Davis. "Let's get this done as quickly as possible," he says. "Then," he sighs, "We can deal with the rammifications of the absconding Klingon vessel."
"Yes. Lets." Davis seems about to yawn for a second, only to quickly tamp it down, blinking a few times. It's less boredom and more fatigue. She turns toward Toran. "Did you know Lieutenant Ko at all? I haven't been on station long. I thought I understood her a little, but I guess not."
Toran shakes his head. "Know her?" he asks. "Hardly. I worked with her briefly, as you did. Little else. I cannot profess to have known her in any serious way." He taps on his uplink. "We'll just beam down from here. Prepare for transport."
"I'm ready," Davis replies.
Toran nods. "Stand by for our signal to return," he tells the bridge at large, before tapping on his device.
A shimmering swirl of colour engulfs Toran.
Swirls of energy whip around your deconstructed body. Shimmering lumination dances about your form uncontrollably, dazzling every sense.
- Farmland <Bajor>
Davis materializes alongside Toran, but she doesn't linger long, instead heading directly for the barn. She turns toward Toran as she walks, briefly offering a weary smile. "Thank you for this, by the way, Major." And then she pushes the button at the lab's entrance.
You knock with 'Doctor Vara. It's me, Anjali Davis from Emissary Station. I have the nanite maintenance program.'.
Toran approaches the barn and nods to Davis as he draws near. "This is a high priority for Bajor. Doing anything less would be deriliction," he replies.
"She's probably going to ask me about him," Davis says quietly, a rueful note in her otherwise flat tone. "She has been through so much, and now this."
Toran sighs. "I can't pretend to fully understand myself, never having been in love, but still," he shakes his head. "She's been through hell. Let's see if we can make at least one part of that better."
Nisah shuffles over to the door and opens it. "You have the program?" she asks. "Where did you get it?"
Davis smiles. "Doctor Tikar made it, back on Emissary Station. I assisted him with some of the calculations. I know I'm imposing, but may I please come in and perhaps ask for your assistance? I'd like to get it installed right away. Doctor Tikar told me I'd need to use the computers here."
"Rilan gave you the code?" the tired Bajoran scientist asks. "And you helped him develop it? That's, that's great. Yes, please come in." She walks in, leaving the door open for the others as she heads for a work station. "How is he doing? Rilan? Did he send you with... maybe a message for me?" She turns a hopeful gaze on her visitors.
- Repurposed Barn <Bajor>
Toran walks in with Davis, a sense of urgency to his expression. "We know the timing is critical, and the sooner this gets done, the better for everyone on Bajor," he says.
Toran nods. "I'm going to let you two work, but if you need me for anything, you know where to find me," he says.
A disappointed look falls over Nisah's face. "He didn't even think of me, did he?" Her question is delivered in heavy tones. "Yeah, go head. That port will do." She steps away, turning her face to the side as she dabs the corner of her eye with a nuckle.
Davis inserts the dataclip and begins uploading the program to the computer. She looks over at Nisah. "Does this look about right to you before we do the final upload to the nanites?"
Toran continues to watch without comment.
Nisah looks over. "Huh? Oh, I... I don't know anything about the program." Her voice is shaking. She's clearly trying to keep control of her emotions. "But that did boot up the nanite control subroutines, yes."
Davis starts tapping her way through the process, a string of beeps accompanying her. "Ah, I see. Yeah, I should be able to do this." There's a bit more quiet time from her as she works, and then one final, slightly louder beep seems to signal she's done. "OK. Program uploaded. The nanites should be receiving the new instructions now." She watches the screen closely, looking for readings, before turning to Toran. "It's looking good so far, in terms of stabilizing the nanite population. We'll have to wait and see for soil effects."
Toran nods to Davis, relaxing slightly. "This is the first good news I've heard in a long time," he says.
Nisah sniffs, but her professional curiosity can't be swayed at this time. She looks over the data on the screen. "The nanite degradation rate is leveling out." She switches the tabs to show the other fields which have also been treated with the nanites. She flips through them all one by one. "Site 2, site 3, site 4, 5, 6... They're all stabalizing." To herself she whispers, though the others can hear it clearly, "Rilan, you did it."
Davis herself watches the readings that Nisah pulls up, allowing a slight smile to creep onto her face. That fades away as her demeanor grows a bit more serious, but her voice softens when she continues. "Doctor Vara, could you sit with me for a bit? I'd like to talk to you, if you'd indulge me for the moment." She looks around, finding two loose chairs, arranging them to face each other. She sets one next to Nisah, and then sits on the other herself. The distance is conversational, though not so close that two people sitting on them would crowd each other.
Toran walks a little closer as well, but remains silent.
Nisah watches Davis arrange the furniture and frowns. "Something's happened. You're about to give me some bad news, aren't you?" She stiffens, standing where she is instead of taking the chair.
"Unfortunately, yes," Davis says. She stands to match Nisah. As she continues, her tone is somewhere between forthright and empathetic. "To start with, I want to be very clear about one thing. Doctor Tikar does think of you. While we were working, I brought up your name, to explain the data you provided to us. He was visibly emotional. He seemed genuinely concerned about you and asked how you were doing, to the point that I worried I might have overly distracted him during our work. I don't know exactly what's in his heart, but based on my limited experience with him, he cares about you a great deal." She lets out a slow breath. "The bad news is this. Shortly after we completed our work, Doctor Tikar was taken. A rogue Bajoran Starfleet officer beamed him and herself to a waiting ship, then escaped before the Station could respond. We aren't sure exactly what her intentions are. She seems to see herself as a liberator fighting for Bajor, and I believe she respects Tikar enough that she won't kill him, but I also don't believe her intentions are entirely positive. I'm telling you all of this because I feel you have a right to know." She pauses. "Both Starfleet and the BDF are going to do everything we can to bring him back safely."
Toran nods. "A Klingon vessel, we believe. Class unknown, precise location unknown, but possibly heading into Cardassian space," he says. "Neither Starfleet nor the BDF has custody of him, but he was taken rather suddenly. As lieutenant Davis said, we honestly don't know what the intentions are of those who have him now."
Nisah absorbs this. About half way through the explanation, tears begin spilling down her cheeks. She turns away and takes a few steps, back to the Emissary officers. Her shoulders sag. When she turns back toward them, however, she's wiping her eyes with the backs of her hands and there's an expression of relief on her face. "Oh, thank the Prophets," she whispers. "I thought you were going to tell me that he had been killed in a fight with those protestors, or that he has been turned over to the Vulcans to face charges." She smiles. It's a sad smile, but a smile anyway. "But if a Bajoran nationalist has taken him away, or what they might see as liberated him, then I know that he's safe. He's a hero to Bajor. They would never harm him."
"That is my hope too," Davis says with a slight smile. "I'm sorry about all of this, Doctor Vara. I'm just a scientist, at the end of the day, but I really did want to do my best to protect him. I was hoping for an ending where his name was cleared, and he could return safely here." She looks at Toran. "Unfortunately, I'm not sure we can stay any longer. Major Toran has to get to work, as you might imagine, and I need to return to the station. If any developments happen with the soil or plants, please feel free to contact me via subspace."
Toran nods. "I've neglected my patrol duties for a time, because this has been more important," he says. "But we are not going to give up on Tikar Rilan."
"If you find him, tell him that I'm here, and I'm waiting." Nisah seems to be collecting herself nicely. Her smile is still sad, but it's a little brighter than before. "Thank you for coming. I'll let you know how the nanites do."