Kat & the Chameloid

Kat Anjar walks out of the Hospital. She is essentially still off work because of injuries sustained in the explosion that occurred here. There were reports that the incident was the result of a bomb placed by the same person who had sabotaged SS Astraios, the USS Argonaut had given chase to a stolen shuttle that was unfortunately destroyed just outside the Takaar Nebula. Where it was going no one could say. Some said Treman, some said Takaar, some said perhaps it was The Apeiros making hay as the sun shines. They at least had sabotaged the USS Prophetic while it was just a hull at the shipyards. And then there was the Beryl Fire, no word on what had caused that but now nearly 50 people had been killed in the three incidents, and there where many more injured. It was not a good state of affairs, everyone was on edge. Gossip was ripe wherever she went, but no one had any real information.

The MCH was now surrounded by scaffolding and personnel scrambled up and down ladders, reconstructing the external shell now the frame of the building had been secured again. She turned and walked between the Hospital and the Science building, heading towards the Colony Commander's residence. Astra was beautiful this time of year, and she was looking forward to a stroll through the Fleet Captain's gardens before presenting herself. She was curious to know why she had been summoned.

Po Toocool nodded to the Steward, who had carefully tidied away all signs of this morning's meeting, a bleak meeting if ever she'd had one, nary a smile among them. She was glad they had gone ahead wih the Ball even after the explosions had occurred, people needed something light hearted after all that had been going on. She certainly did. She sighed, the Steward left, and she was alone with her thoughts again. Last night Souleymane had been understanding and supportive, he had surprised her. She'd expected a confrontation, instead he gave her compassion and consideration and even acceptance. She had agreed to his suggestion that she consult medical with regard to her health, and liked his idea of contacting Kat Anjar. Souley had offered his home for this, but Po had decided she would see Kat after the breakfast briefing that was held in her residence. She felt... she needed to be in control of the environment, and that she would need time to come to terms with anything the doctor might say. She would not exclude Souley, just make him wait a little while to hear the results. She stepped into her bedroom, unsure whether she should change or not... but then she recalled the Caitian appeared slightly nervous in her presence.

She takes out a simple yellow shirt and pants, and slips out of her uniform, hanging it up after disengaging the combadge and pinning it onto the blouse she has put on. She brushed her hair and pinned it up, once satisfied she stepped into the reception area. It was a pleasant day out, she had informed her Yeoman that she would be taking the day off. Her vice would attend the Council meeting. She would rest at home and was not to be contacted unless there was something truly urgent that required her to be present or make a decision. They all had their instructions. She had spoken with the head of the Astraionian Civilian Authority, discussing the possibility of raising the planetary shield on a permanent basis. He was to take the idea to Council. Glancing out the door, she observes Kat showing her credentials to Security. Suddenly she feels rather reluctant, wishing she had not told Souley she would do this.

Kat passes the security checkpoint and moves along the path through the fragrant garden, enjoying being out in the sun and air. She refuses to let her worries take her from the present moment, and pauses to look at the new blooms, and watch the butterflies flit around, and listen to the birds singing. She takes a deep breath. She does not want to be nervous in front of the Colony Commander!

Finally she reaches the cottage... which is surprising in itself. Many in such a high position would choose a mansion to broadcast their prestige, but not Poison Toocool. She lives in a simple cottage surrounded by gardens, and spends her free time outside, where she grows some of the fruits and vegetables she eats. Kat had seen the cottage from afar when visiting out patients at the House of Healing the Fleet Captain had created on her land. A perfect place for people to get well. As Kat thinks about that, she realizes that perhaps Poison is not so scary after all. She reaches her hand to knock then jumps when Poison appears soundlessly in front of her.

She walks through the door into a charming room, a small fire banked in the fireplace, comfortable chairs around it; a long table to the right which is used for briefings, and to the left an exit to what she presumed was the bedroom. Everything was light and airy, there were several exits to a porch that wrapped around the entire cottage, and green could be seen from every door and window.

"How beautiful," she exclaimed.

Before the Caitian could knock, Poison stepped into the doorway and gestured, indicating Kat should come inside. Her reluctance to have this... examination was increasing by the minute.

"Please make yourself comfortable," she says politely although her teeth are gritted. "May I offer you some tea?"

Kat places her medical bag on the floor next to one of the couches, turning to Poison: "Ma'am, I would gladly have tea but perhaps we should first check you over?" She senses that Poison is not too enthusiastic about this. "Would you like to sit here?" Kat knows that a biobed would make the collection of information about Poison's condition that much easier, but respects the fact that the Fleet Captain did not wish to be seen in the sickbay, especially right now with so many people trying to repair the Hospital or visit relatives.

Poison sighs and sits on the couch, rolling her shoulders back and shutting her eyes for a moment. "Nurse Anjar," she says softly, "What is your security clearance, please." Even though kat has left Starfleet her oath to never reveal top secret information would carry through to her death and beyond. She may not disclose any personal information about a patient anyway.

Kat takes a chair from the dining table and brings it over and puts it directly in front of her patient, and sits down, placing the med kit on the small coffee table, she opens it and takes out the medical tricorder.

"Level six, Stigma nine, Ma'am." Due to her work with the Caitain ambassador, and her personal attendance on other delegates or representatives at the Astaionian Council, Kat's security clearance was higher than most. Cait was a long time Federation member world and Caitians were a well respected species.

Poison shakes her head. Six was high, but not high enough. She doubts any clearance level would make her feel safe. The possibility of top secret information getting into the wrong hands was just too great. However the Stigma nine comforts her. "Anything you observe, examine or discuss with me from this point on is Classfied Top Secret and may not be revealed to anyone. You may not keep a log. You must remove all data from your devices," Poison points to the tricoder, "Do I make myself clear?"

"Understood, Ma'am," Kat says softly, bringing the tricorder to the position where it could read her patient's condition most effectively. As she reads the output her whiskers tremble. She wonders what this is all about.

An hour later, after the exam, tea and a chat are over, Kat steps back out onto the pathway and walks towards the Hospital.

Poison shivers. Despite the warmth of the spring morning, she feels chilled. She sits on a chair close to the hearth, some minutes pass while she thinks over what has just occurred. Finally, she closes her eyes, letting her mind go. In a moment, all that remains of her is the uniform on the floor, its combadge glinting in the light of the fire. The Wolf moves to an open doorway and slips out, heading for the forest and the mountain behind it.

=^=

Aftermath

Evan worried about the explosion at the Majel hospital. He knew that Kat had been on duty for that shift, and he wanted to head directly toward the hospital. However, the Superintendent had ordered all available officers to help with traffic control around the hospital. There were hundreds of concerned citizens that were worried at loved ones at the hospital, APF had been tasked with this duty by Starfleet. According to the Superintendent, they would make the traffic control so smooth that no one could accuse the department of being unable to handle the job. As Evan suspected, it did go easy. The uniforms of the APF made an impression on the concerned citizens. And they all accepted that, ‘all was well’ and ‘you will be reunited with your loved ones as soon as possible.’ Evan helped, but his role was merely supervisory. As a senior inspector, Detectives typically wore a suit, so Evan Torg stood back and tried his best to look officious and ‘in charge’ of the situation. He let the uniformed officers do the real work.

His communicator beeped. Evan answered, thinking it might be the Superintendent. “Detective Torg,” he answered. “Traffic,” he added as an additional insult, hoping that his point would have been made with the bureaucrat.

“Evan,” asked a male voice, “Evan Torg?”

“Who?”

“I’m Nurse Anders,” he answered. “I am a co-worker of Kat Anjar. She was injured in the accident.”

“I see,” Evan’s mind raced trying to understand what had just happened. “Is she…”

“It is just a broken arm,” Anders continued. “We need someone to take her home for rest. According to the EMH, Caitian bones need to be treated gently after resetting. He wants her to report to home for rest. Kat suggested that you could take her home.”

“Okay,” Evan relaxed, realizing that Kat would be fine. “I’ll take care of it. Where do I need to pick her up?”

Anders explained where the pickup location and closed the communications channel.

“Sergeant Mirg,” Evan spoke to a uniformed female APF officer. “I need to take care of something. You are in charge.”

Kat Anjar sat, a bit teary and tired, on one of the biobeds set up under a canopy on the Majel Community Hospital helipad, some distance away from the actual building, which looked fine from this angle but was, she knew, quite badly damaged from some kind of explosion that had happened only a few hours ago. Any ambulatory patients like her had been herded to this makeshift sickbay where an EMH and other helpers assess their needs and set the plan for treatment by who needed the most help the soonest. Kat, with bumps, bruises and a mild concussion, had been left for hours. She understood why, but fretted at being a patient when the need for nurses was so great. Finally she just walked around, finding a blanket here, or giving some water, or replicating some food, for those in her ‘ward’. The head nurse should have told her to go back to bed, but they were so overrun with people from SS Astraios as well as the MCH they had either not noticed or just appreciated her doing whatever she could.

The EMH, who was tireless of course, had spotted her only a few minutes ago and snapped at her, telling her she should be off duty. She had protested, but he pointed out she had a concussion as well as a hairline fracture of her left Radius, and she should be resting. He had ordered her back to her bed, but relaxed enough to tell her that if she could find someone to escort her home, she could be discharged as long as she promised to go to bed when she got there. Knowing they needed the beds for other patients, Kat had asked a passing nurse to contact Evan. He was the only person she could think of who might be free enough to take her home.

She supposed they could be transported there, but from what she had overheard, the transporters were not working in the area of the MCH due to an energy discharge. The station was considered ‘offline’ as engineering teams worked to repair the damage now they had it back on the correct orbital path. Maybe Even would have a small shuttle or a landbased vehicle they could use.

She sighed, wishing for a cup of warm milk and her own little bed.

Evan managed to requisition one of police cruiser from one of the uniformed officers, Frid, helping with the traffic control. “You’ll owe me one, Evan.” The officer rekeyed the controller and handed it to Evan. “Don’t abandon this one at the pier, this time.” Evan agreed, choosing not to explain the failure of the controller of the previously abandoned vehicle.

A few minutes later Evan arrived at the makeshift sickbay driving the police cruiser. He could see the partially collapsed MCH in the distance. He noticed that there was still considerable smoke. While Detective Torg moved toward the door, one of the Starfleet security types had tried to stop him. Evan flashed his badge, saying ‘official police business’ and pushing through. It had worked and he was soon inside the shelter.

Inside, Evan concluded that it was best described as chaos. Medical teams were moving from patient to patient. Grabbing the first person that didn’t seem to be in a hurry, which had taken a couple of attempts, he asked about Kat. The answer he received was a grunt and a wave in a particular direction. Trying to follow the vague directions, Evan moved through the room, attempting to stay out of the way.

“Sir, if you aren’t injured. I need you to leave.” Said a particularly dour mooded doctor.

“I’m picking up a friend,” Evan answered.

“This is a makeshift hospital,” the doctor snarled, “not a tent for a springtime masked ball.”

“She is a nurse,” Evan held up his badge to show that he was not merely wandering around. “She needed a ride home. Something about a broken arm.”

“Oh yes,” the doctor nodded. “Kat Anjar is over there. You should take her home. Have the rest of the APF insure that she does nothing but rest. Caitian hairline radius fractures are prone to rupture.”

“Of course,” Evan reassured the doctor and walked over to Kat. He could see that she wasn’t fully awake. “Hey Kat,” he said, “Let’s get you out of here.” He put his arm around her waist to help her walk and protect her injured arm.

Kat sat dozing on her biobed, the fatigue had finally hit her, and her left arm was aching. Anders had come by to say he had reached Evan and the APF officer was on his way. The nurse checked her vitals and gave her another hypospray to help with the pain, and packed a small med kit for her to take home. She was instructed to keep her combadge on and they would check on her from time to time. She listened to all the instructions, her caitian eyes luminous and heavy lidded, like a cat half asleep. Finally Evan arrived, reaching to help her off the bed and take her through the jumbled mess of the temporary sickbay to the vehicle he had brought. As he helped her into the transport, she sank into the seat with a sigh, “Thank you so much Evan. It was a bit crazy in there and,” she couldn’t stop a yawn, “I’d been on duty for such a long time.” Looking down, “My uniform is in such a state, it’s a good thing the Fleet Captain didn’t come by. She often comes to the hospital you know. I hope my patients are okay,” she was half dreaming and probably didn’t make much sense.

Working his way out of the hospital with Kat in tow, he realized that another nurse had pulled along Kat's other side.  He had introduced himself as Anders and had relayed a bunch of instructions about the small med kit. Kat didn't even groan during the discussion, and Evan wondered if she had even heard it. Once safely within the cruiser, Kat started talking as if she had ben talking all along. "No problem, Kat." He had said, "I need to take you home." She continued speaking for a few minutes then passed out again. Even could not make much sense out of her words.

Finally, the cruiser arrived at Kat's apartment. Evan carried her upstairs and helped her to her bed. "Computer," Evan had said, intending to leave her in the machines care.

"Working," responded the house computer.

"Kat has been injured," he explained. "According to the doctors she is to get some rest."

Evan listened as Kat began talking again. He then assured her that her patients were indeed okay. He toyed with the idea of leaving again. The computer would perform adequately for her care, but he could not shake the idea of her being injured and alone. "Computer, I'll be in the other room if Kat wakens."

Evan retreated into the other room and called Sargent Fenn Sennats, who informed him that he had completed speaking to the last of the Beryl fire survivors. There was nothing new to report. It effectively ended the investigation. There were no leads and no further witnesses to interview. There was one last hunch that he could play, but it likely didn't mean a thing. Souley Senghor had been on Treman Prime and there were still persistent rumors that the fire had been started by the Treman. The link between the fire and Souley was so thin that it was non-existent.  But much had happened.  There was the Starfleet Ensign killed by an overdose of a sex drug.  Beryl had burnt to the ground, and there was an explosion and collapse at the hospital.  It had all happened in the shadow of a coup d'état on Treman.  The suggestion was a conspiracy, but there wasn't a thread.  Perhaps Souley had that thread.  Evan vowed to complete the investigation and interview Souley.

Now, Evan's thoughts drifted as he fell asleep.  He was so exhausted that the little claws of the rescued kitten climbing up his leg to his lap did not prevent him from drifting off.

Kat awoke with a start. She sat up slowly. She was in her own bed, in her own little home. How did she get here? She yawned a huge cat yawn, blinking, smoothing her whiskers. Her left arm wouldn't move. It was caught under the covers... no, it was bound up in a bandage of some kind. Then she remembered.

How awful it had been, when the huge sound of the explosion had reached her ears, when the ceiling tiles had began to fall, she raced to protect her patients by trying to get forcefields up around them, too late to save one who was pierced by sharp metal, she had thrown her own body over another as the room rang with the sound of cracking and dropping. As the noise decreased she began to move, but too soon. As she stepped to the floor another part of the ceiling came down, blocking the exit to the hospital lobby, and knocking her off her feet. She didn't know how long she had been unconscious, but when she came to she was on an undamaged biobed further along the row with someone from the USS Argonaut standing over her.

She blinked again, and slid from her warm bed. Evan had brought her home. She looked outside into her living area and saw he was fast asleep, with the little kitten in his lap. She was touched.

She moved to the kitchen, one handedly organizing coffee, buns, cheese, fruit, and scrambled eggs. She had to carry everything one at a time to the table, but eventually she had a breakfast-for-dinner set up. Looking to the clock, she had no idea how long they had been asleep. Lastly she fixed a bowl for the little cat, and placed it next to a dish of water on the floor in the area she had set aside for it.

It all reminded her of the terrible fire, and now this.

She moved to Evan, sitting down next to him and placing a gentle paw on his arm. She didn't know if he was supposed to still be on duty or not, but she felt it best to wake him and feed him. She hoped he would be able to stay and talk to her.

"Evan," she said softly, "Time to wake up."

Evan fought with the dreams that were plaguing him through his sleep. Hidden enemies mocked him through masks of smoke. Beryl ruins... Opal's mocking face... Countless witnesses... Kat's soft words, "Time to wake up."

Evan realized that all had been a dream. But something had been talking to him. Something that he couldn't wrap his mind around. Something terrible...

His eyes opened, revealing Kat's home. He could see that he had been reclining on a pillow couch. He saw her nearby, her arm showing the bindings of the fracture repair from hours before. He could see a hint of sadness in her feline eyes.

"Thank you Kat," He said, noticing the breakfast spread on the nearby table. "Sorry, I did not mean to fall asleep."

He looked at the clock, realizing that his shift had ended an hour before. It would not matter, Evan answered to the Superintendent and he would not be concerned about hours, merely results. He rose, feeling his own body shake. He sat back down. He could not understand the shudders. He looked to Kat and considered what he should say. Then he settled on the truth, their friendship deserved it. "Kat, I am worried." He croaked out those few words, then tried to compose himself.

Kat watched Evan rise, then sit back down. She cocked an ear. He looked a little pale, which was unusual for him as far as she could remember. She put a gentle paw on his arm. "What is on your mind?" her voice was soft and soothing. It was a natural habit of hers to listen and try to be understanding. It was part of what made her a good medical practitioner, but it was more than that. She had a curiosity about others, what they thought and felt. She also was idealistic. One reason she had gone into Medical with Starfleet was to help, and even though she had left that lofty organization, and lived a quieter existance sans space exploration and the curiosity it might satisfy, it was very satisfactory to her as she could get to know her patients, sometimes even visiting them at their residences, and be part of their lives. And she found she wasn't fond of being deployed on a ship for many weeks at a time. Astra had become home over the past while, and Evan seemed like a nice man. "Would you like a glass of water?" She was assessing his condition, and felt a little concerned when she saw how he was shaking.

Evan agreed to the water. He could see that he had startled her as much as he had himself. Upon receiving the water, he drank it gratefully. He could feel his body rehydrating, and his mind became less detached and confused. He settled a moment, making sure he felt fine. It was not a perfect sensation to him, however he felt he could smile and mean it. He looked to her and tested his smile, watching her reactions.

"I think Astra is in serious trouble," he explained. "I've been very focused on the details for my cases, I didn't see the common thread. Someone is seriously messing with this planet. It almost looks as if this is an attempt to destabilize and confuse us. But, today looked like an attack. In some sense the hospital is our most important facility. I would consider it more important than the station because without it we don't heal our injuries. Without the medical people, we weaken.

"But as I was saying, there is a common thread to all of my cases. Starfleet is being pressured. In the case of my murder investigation, that pressure takes the form of a murdered ensign. The odd thing is that his communications badge is missing and remains missing. Did someone want that comm badge? Would it give access to something the Ensign had been working on?

Next, the Beryl village is burned to the ground. After we met at the hospital, I went to the village. I got there and found excavations in progress to repair the village. Somehow Starfleet was manipulated into destroying the evidence. Again, Starfleet is being pressured.

Then earlier... well you know what happened." He sighs and turns to her, "more pressure. What do you think, my friend? Is this as terrible as it seems?"

Kat watches Even drink the water, sitting next to him quietly, a soft paw near his arm. She was pleased when he tried to smile, she hoped it meant he was feeling better but she could see concern in his eyes. Her heart fell as he described the situation. She didn't quite agree that the spacestation wasn't important, its presence certainly was a deterrant. But the Hospital was essential, she agreed with that, even more so now that these awful things had happened. She tilts her head when she hears about the murder investigation, she knew an autopsy had been done but was surprised to hear the remains had been stolen, "For what purpose would anyone steal a cavadar which had already been thoroughly examined?" she wondered aloud. She didn't know anything about what was happening at Beryl Village, except she had seen security stopping people from entering the area, some were quite upset as they wished to dig through what was left to see if they could find any personal items. How sad to lose everything they owned, mementos, heirlooms, along with the rest.

She considers what he has said. The little kitten has eaten what was left for it, and climbed back up, laying between them, washing itself, purring. Kat reaches to pet it, it makes a feeble attempt to play and then yawns hugely, settling in the warm space between the Caitian and her guest for a cat nap.

"I had not thought of it that way, Evan," her voice is low, "but now that you describe it, I fear you may be right." She absentmindedly strokes the wee cat. "How sad it all is, and it is very difficult not to feel a real state of alarm at the situation. Do you suppose Fleet Captain Toocool has put two and two together in the way you have?" She had a lot of respect for the Colony Commander, although she was tongue-tied and nervous in the woman's presence, Kat felt she was a good leader.

Evan listened to her answer and considered the Fleet Captain. He had not yet met the Colony Commander and had not formed an opinion of her. There were his own biases against Starfleet, but he had not saddled them on to the Fleet Captain. In his mind, she had been above the problems he had with Starfleet. "I would hope that she has." He thought for a moment then asked, "I realize that I am about to ask an odd question, but I am finding myself concerned with authority given the recent developments. Do you think that the Fleet Captain can be trusted?"

Kat is taken aback by Evan's question. She's never even considered that anyone at Starfleet would ever be less than trustworthy, especially the leader of the Colony. However in her short life she certainly knew of officials and representatives who had titles but did not serve the public's best interest, rather using their positions to exert influence and gain power, prestige, and even money. She feels actually uncomfortable for a moment, even thinking of Poison Toocool that way. She looks to Evan. He would not ask such a question unless he was serious. She respects him enough to try to answer. Her eyes grow sad as she considers what to say. "She has done so much for the Colony, and for the Astraionians, it is difficult for me to see her as less than remarkable. Her manner can be brusk... she does not suffer fools badly. She goes by the book and runs the Colony that way, expecting and receiving respect. She seems to be a team player." Kat sighs, "I must admit though that I have been troubled recently by the gossip about the Fleet Captain and her... Mr Senghor." Her voice drops, "People say he is a smuggler and could be a bad influence on her. I don't think they are right. I met him and he seemed... irreverent but, nice enough. But it's not what I would have expected of her. I thought that she and... Captain Darax, the old captain of the Armstrong... I thought they were together." She shakes her head, "But they aren't now."

Listening thoughtfully to what Kat is saying, Evan began putting additional facts in place. He recalled his conversation with Miss Idryssa from a week before. It had been triggered by him overhearing the comment about 'Treman coffee.' Idryssa was Souleyman's Senghor's twin. Evan relates the conversation to Kat, trying to leave out his impressions until the very end. He concluded by explaining that he left word for Mr Senghor to contact him at his earliest convenience. "So she agreed to pass the message on to Souleyman," Evan said, then paused a moment to collect his thoughts. Glancing at Kat who was stroking the sleeping kitten, he continues. "My impression was that Idryssa was not deceiving me. Though I cannot say weather Mr Senghor might have been lying to his sister, since he has not contacted me yet.

"As for Senghor and the Fleet Captain being together, it is the first I have heard of it. But as you pointed out, the fact is troublesome. Even more so, I think Souleyman being on Treman during the coups is another troubling fact. I think it brings out a bunch of possibilities, any one of which could be true. The first and simplest is that neither of them know anything or have anything to do with the fire or the murder or the conspiracy to hide information about either. Another would be that Mr Senghor is corrupt and has been manipulating the Fleet Captain. Next, the Fleet Captain has come to the same conclusions as I have, and she is using Mr Senghor as a means to find out more - either with or without his knowledge. Another would be that the Fleet Captain is corrupt and is using Souleyman as a means to create deception to thwart any potential inquiry into her actions. This last one, by your own observations, seems unlikely, I'd like to find a way to prove it.

"Do you think I have left anything out ... either a missing possibility or an overlooked fact?"

Kat's eyes grow round and her expression is bleak as Evan lists off the possibilities. She sighs, "It is really hard for me to think that Idrissa Senghor knows anything, she was and is my patient, she seems very sincere, and a lovely girl although I can say without breaking any confidence that her life has not been easy. She loves her brother dearly and I believe he put himself in grave danger to save her and bring her here. Because of that I feel it unlikely he would be involved with the Klingons. But I have a soft heart and find it very difficult to believe the worst of people," she will put her paw gently on his knee if allowed, "Your work often encourages exactly the opposite, I think." She lilts her head, considering all that he has said, "There is another possibility, Evan. There could be someone here at Astraios who is deliberately pulling strings and spreading gossip in order to keep people off balance, gain power, and deflect curiosity about their actions or intentions. Assuming all these events are related, they would have to have access to Starfleet or have the ability to disquise themselves." Suddenly she drew in a breath, "Oh I hate this. Now I will be looking in every face wondering if this is THE horrible person who has been the cause of death and suffering."

Placing his hand upon her gently placed paw, he listened carefully to her comments. As she explains the possibility of someone deliberately manipulating the populous, Evan listened to her fears. He realized that he may have burdened her excessively with his own fears; however, her insight was invaluable. Noticing the forgotten meal, he prepared her a plate and made one for himself. "Thank you for the meal," he said then ate in silence, wondering what he needed to do next. He concluded what they needed to do, and he spent a few moments confirming his reasoning to a degree to explain it to her. "Kat, we need to go to the masked ball." He said, and stumbled over the next words, "and I uh, would like you and I to go together."

Kat accepted the plate he made for her, and placed it on her lap, pushing away the now curious kitten, "Shhh," she told it, "you had yours already." She nibbles on the food, finding herself more hungry than she had imagined, the stress of all that has happened made her feel tired and worn out. A peaceful silence falls between them as they eat, only the purring of the little one can be heard in the late afternoon. When he mentions the Masked Ball, she looks to him, surprised, pleased and curious. "Of course Even, I would go with you... but why do you say we 'need' to go?"

Evan smiled hearing the answer he was hoping for and the anticipated question. He considered his responses carefully, ensuring that they continued to make sense to him. He turned to her, taking her paw in his hand. "There are several reasons. I read some Terran history that indicated that a way for civilians to do their part in a conflict was to live their lives in spite of whatever happened. One people called the British managed to keep their own moral during the worst possible circumstances. It meant that in spite of the terrible bombings from the air and indiscriminate destruction was not breaking them. In effect they lived their lives and used it to defeat their enemy. I think we should show our masked enemy that we can celebrate something in spite of the fear they are attempting to foster. I believe that you would agree that we need to let them know they won't succeed. Furthermore, I think it sends a message to our own leaders. Take care of this so that we can live our lives. Its a message that I hope they will hear. Lastly, my friend, I believe that I owe you a relaxing evening given all I have burdened you with this evening. I am really wanting us to be able to relax and enjoy each other's company without having our jobs demanding our attention. I would very much like to spend time with you." He stoped, hoping that he said the right words.

Kat accepts his touch as he turns to tell her his reasoning. Despite the terrible events of the past few weeks the knowledge that she has him for a friend comforts her, something she needs in this moment. She had always felt the station and the Colony, along with the planetary shield, would guard them from anything truly heinous but now she is not so sure. Her whiskers tremble as she contemplates the series of events that seem to say they are not as safe on Astra Prime as she had believed. She blinks and sighs, listening. She nods as he explains. "I had felt angry with Fleet Captain Toocool for allowing this Ball to occur after so many had been injured and killed," she says softly. "I couldn't understand it. Although she can be very stern, I always thought she had compassion." Kat had seen Poison with Hars in some of his worst days in the Hospital, sitting calmly and talking to him to comfort him, and it had seemed to Kat then that there was a glow coming from the Colony Commander, an odd thing but... it had seemed peaceful and calming. For Toocool to have a celebration at the height of pain and grief was terribly wrong, in Kat's mind. "But now you make me realize, why she wanted us to go ahead and have the dance. To show our.. enemies that we are not defeated and.. to give some meaning to the deaths, that they were not in vain," Kat's eyes fill with silent years, "they do need to take care of this, so we can live our lives, all of us, and..." she will lean into him and put her head on his shoulder if permitted, "it has not been a burden, Evan. It has been... a revelation. Thank you for talking to me so openly. As a nurse practitioner at the embassy and in the hospital I hear bits and pieces, and rumors, now you help me to piece it together into something I can understand and even... help fight in my own way." Her paw is still in his palm. The little kitten climbs back onto Kat's lap, and bats playfully at the two joined hands before settling down, washing an ear, looking up at them with trustful eyes. Gently: "I would like to spend time with you too."

=^=

Arson fills MCH

"What is your suspect's status?"  Tamor Seirots, Chief Superintendent of the APF met the Detective's gaze.

"The Gati have said they will hold her until we extradite, charge, convict, or whatever.  They aren't concerned about letting her go, Chief."  Evan Torg answered his boss's question.

"And, the Starfleet position?"  Evan watched flare in the Chief's nostril.

Detective Torg shifted uncomfortably in his chair, "I really don't know Chief.  The Ensign filed his report when we exited the nebula, and he apparently went on leave after we landed.  I have not seen him, nor have I been contacted by his replacement or superiors.  I waited a day, then I filed my report and contacted Astra legal."   He knew his suspect had been hiding something, but he couldn't figure out how to get her off of Gati and back to some place modern enough to question her using the lie detector from a computer.  He let Astra legal handle the details of the extradition.  It would be messy and time consuming - perfect for Evan to undertake another less stressful case.  "So what else do you have for me, Chief?"

"I want you to lead the investigation of the Beryl arson."

He reached for the pad from the Chief Superintendent.  "Arson eh?" So that was the next case.'  He had wanted to get something else after having stalled on the Murder investigation.  "Thanks Chief."

However, a quick look at the case file dispelled any belief in an easier case.  The Arson involved at least twenty deaths.  The fire investigators had found multiple points of ignition.  Given the way the flames spread, the fire had caught the victims so quickly that they had no chance of escape.  Even though there had been no mention of murder in the case file, the deaths almost certainly suggested a murder investigation.  Detective Torg glanced at the chief checking to see if there was anything else then departed to begin studying the case.

The Village of Beryl had been burned to the ground, killing twenty and injuring dozens more.  According to one point in the report, temperatures nearing the solar surface had been detected during the blaze.  The reports called it a firestorm.  There had been also reports of rumours of Treman involvement.

Evan picked up the data card and began looking at the fire investigation report - following the fire as it engulfed the village.  Block by block it jumped from building to building.  After reaching a critical size, the firestorm started.  The heat of the blaze created its own weather and the firestorm started. Within a few minutes, the fire had destroyed the village.

The detective realized that he could go to the scene, but there would be little to see.  However, he opted to head to the hospital to inquire about some of the injured.  Chances were that anyone who wasn't seriously injured had been discharged, and anyone that was still in the hospital wouldn't be able to answer questions.  After a short ride, he arrived at the hospital.

Kat Anjar brushes a weary paw over her whiskers, wondering when she might get a break. The number of blackened humanoids had now faded to a trickle. Most were either in sickbay, in intensive care, or in the makeshift fire ward they had set up in the shuttle bay. All had been washed of soot, and fed, and had their needs cared for, by the army of medical personnel who had been immediately assigned to assist with the disaster. Even still the last hours and days had been exhausting. She had a million reports to write. Thank the goodness they had computers and PADDs and everything was recorded. She had not even had time to visit the site of the fire, but she understood from everyone she had spoken to that the village had been burned to the ground in an unholy conflagration that leveled all the buildings in a matter of hours, burning so hot that no technology could put it out. Starfleet had scrambled to save its Academy and Banquet Hall, both just a few meters from the outskirts of Beryl Village.

She mewed softly as she updated the computer records of the last patients she had seen on her rounds. She had been assigned to sick bay, thankfully. They had placed extra biobeds in the room, but she managed to get through them all each shift with the help of a junior nurse.

The doctors she had seen were exhausted. But now things were calming down, most had time for a shower, soup and sleep. She had snuck a little catnap in the middle of this shift, trusting the alarms on the biobeds or the swish of the door to the hospital lobby to wake her. She felt mildly guilty about it but no harm had been done. Now she continued to work on her reports, hoping to be relieved soon, and get out of the hospital for a walk, some fresh air, and a quick transport to her quarters for a longer nap. She took her PADD, nodded to the junior nurse, gesturing to the offices across the way, and left the room, soft snores behind her as the doors closed again.

APF procedure and starfleet security procedures seldom matched well.  Detective Evan Torg knew as APF that he could wander as he wished through the hospital.  However, given the nature of the arson, he opted to check in with the hospital starfleet liaison before doing anything else.  The clerk had been surprisingly pleasant and helped Evan collect necessary information to keep starfleet happy.  After the process, Evan went to the hospital administrator's office.  A holographic assistant asked him to wait in a nearby hallway.

Grumbling, Evan complied.  He took a seat.  He pulled out his PADD and reviewed the case material, but could not keep his attention on the documents.  After a moment, he saw a Caitian nurse gracefully exit an office and head down the hallway.  After an instant, he recognised Kat Anjar, a nurse friend of his.
"Kat,"  he said.  "Its good to see you.  I see that you are working the relief effort for the fire."  He explained his reasoning for being at the hospital.  He had hoped to interview one of the patients who was not in serious condition.  But, he added, "If you happened to have heard anything from the witnesses, it would help my investigation."

Kat finished her report for the OiC in charge of the hospital, read it over twice with tired eyes, and then dropped a PADD on his desk for whenever he returned from either duty or rest. She stepped into the hallway, planning to check in one more time on the junior nurse before finding her own quarters.  The hospital was very quiet after all the stress and noise of so many patients coming at the same time. She actually jumped when someone called her name.

“Evan,” she said quietly, raising a paw to greet him, moving towards him so they could keep their voices down. She listened carefully to his explanation. “I just completed a full report on all the patients who came through triage, for the OiC of the MCH. Some went upstairs to intensive care, some are here in sickbay, and others were sent home… not home, but to shelters or to relatives.  I’m afraid my report is confidential to the Colony Chief Medical, in terms of patient names, conditions, and what have you. I can tell you we have twenty one casualties and several more who are in critical condition because of burns, smoke inhalation, one heart attack and one stroke.” She rattles off the numbers from memory, brushing a whisker from her lips with a tired paw. “If you wish to interview a patient or two we need to clear that with the OiC and possibly any relatives as well. However, I can tell you the names of the shelters where some of the released patients have gone.” She turns and looks out the window with a sigh. “The thing I heard the most from those who could speak, was how fast the fire came, how little time there was to get out, and, an overwhelming sense of grief for those lost, including pets, and treasures of the family, gone forever,” her little Kat voice is small. “How could such a terrible thing happen?” She looks at him with her sad cat eyes.

Evan listened intently to her explanation.  The report's confidentiality did not surprise him, but knowing it existed at least allowed him to ask for it when the time was right.  He also didn't expect to interview any patients without approval, but knowing that some had been released to the shelters gave him a next destination.

He reached and touched his own hand to her paw in a very slight gesture of reassurance as he saw the sadness creep over her eyes.  At the last moment, he pulled his hand away, worried that he had crossed a boundary.  He had known Kat for a while, and he never recalled her being so sad.

"I'll figure it out and catch those responsible," he answered with the hopefulness of reassurance.  "You probably need to go get some rest.  Forgive me for keeping you from it.  Could you answer one last question, to help me with a hunch?  Did any of the burns stand out as though they had another source besides the fire?  I am thinking about maybe phasor or disrupter." He watched the expressions play over her face when she answered.

Kat accepts his gesture of compassion willingly, suggesting that they sit together on one of the benches provided in the hallway. Sitting, she turns to him and says, “I am not usually so saddened by events, but the number of people hurt is overwhelming, and it’s very hard to see families with children displaced, as well as the elders. And,” her voice chokes slightly, “all the pets, the domesticated animals that were lost. That makes me very sad. There is a lovely Astra feline called felis wehrlite, a family in the village that I knew had a female with kittens. A lovely creature, I was so happy to visit her and play with the children. The family is alright, but, they cannot find her or her little ones. Lost in the fire.” She sighs. “I did not see any burns that I attributed to anything other than the fire, but then, I was not looking for any other reason. I can’t really answer that question,” she looks at him puzzled, “Do you think people were also attacked with weapons?  No one reported hearing or seeing anything other than the fire, as far as I know. But there was a huge commotion.”

He listened to her, nodding in understanding.  He could feel her sadness and felt his own.  On mention of the kittens, he frowned, concerned about their well being - all the while fighting the knowledge that the likely outcome would be disheartening.  His emotions played as he recalled the kittens that he had called pets and friends over his lifetime.

As she recalled the burns of the victims, he realized that there was nothing obvious.  Likely, to all eyes, a burn was a burn.  Once the temperatures were high enough, flesh would blister or scorch in the same way.  "I was looking for a way for the fire to have gotten extremely hot immediately.  The weapons seems like a possible source of ignition."  He thought again and added, "I might be too suspicious by nature and am always seeing the worst possible reason for things.  I am sorry to bring it up."

"If you would like, I can walk with you a while after your shift.  Perhaps we can get a beverage.  I am on my way over to the shelters and look for a possible interview from survivors.  Before we, go I'll need to put in my request with the OiC."  He hoped that his company would help cure her incredible sadness.

=^=

Kat scan

Souleymane Senghor came up from the cellar bathroom, showered, shaved and dressed for the day. He double checks on Fukujuso, who is finishing up her brunch; breakfast time being long gone and needing energy for more play. She asks him if he'll come with her, but he begs off, as hes got his own work to do and with Driss gone, it's a good time for some quiet work. But he insists Aki go with her … bit of a no-brainer as the puppy and the girl are inseparable now.

Once he sees them out of Driss's small abode, he sits at the the dining table, his PADD in hand. He sends off a few messages, many in regards to unloading some of the Treman coffee that he dares not try and sell on Astraios in light of the rising tensions involving the now blockaded planet. But also he sends some more inquiries about properties he has viewed. It feels to him as if he is spending money hand over fist when he should be saving. But he has a vehicle now and once he buys a house and perhaps buys or rents a warehouse for the new legitimate import/export enterprise, he can stop spending money and get to earning it for his new family.

Kat Anjar walks towards the Senghor abode. It’s very nice to be out and about after the elongated duty shifts of the past few days. This follow-up exam should have been done at least a week ago, but got put aside for one reason or another, and then pushed to the back of the pile of things to do when the village burned to the ground.  Always thorough, Kat had checked all the records she could find with regard to Mr Souleymane Senghor. It was not for her to judge, but it appeared he was rather reckless. In her training and experience, humans seemed to like to tempt fate by doing all manner of dangerous and unnecessary things. Naturally curious, she could understand if they got into trouble when exploring new things. But why they liked to fling themselves from high buildings with just a rope around their ankles, or jump from a flying vessel with just a silk balloon to hold them up, or dive to the depths of the ocean where they could die for lack of oxygen or when decompression sickness could incapacitate them if they rose too quickly… well, the list of stupid things humans did to test their limits would take a number of gigabytes on the hospital computer to record. Her ears flick as she walks along. The spring sun is warm and she finds herself humming… purring… for the first time in days. She arrives at what she thinks is the correct house, checks her PADD once again to be sure, then knocks politely at the door.

Souleymane hears the knock and stands.  Her hadn’t been looking out of the windows, so he’d not seen anyone approaching.  Moving to the door he opens it and sees … a Caitian? He seems to remember one around when Driss was in the hospital.  She is holding a PADD, which gets his attention.  Some kind of official visit.

“My sister isn’t home.”  he tells her.  “And my daughter is off playing somewhere.  So if you want Idrissa, try The Cafe.  If you want Fukujuso, try the pond, but watch out for the dog.  She won’t bite but she might love you to death.”  he stops speaking, expecting her to turn and head off to find one of the girls.

Kat opens her mouth to say hello but is forestalled by the man’s listing of other people’s names and locations. She sniffed, glad to hear the dog was not nearby. They often barked at her, even growled, which made things unpleasant. She blinked for a moment, focussing her eyes on the figure in the doorway. “I am looking for Mr Souleymane Senghor,” she said politely, knowing it was him all the same, as he had been brought from the brig to visit a patient of hers some weeks back. “For a follow-up medical visit.  I could have contacted you and asked you to come or transport to the MCH, but we like to keep things relaxed, and I often do home visits. I looked after your sister, Idrissa, when she was in the House of Healing on Fleet Captain Toocool’s property…” her voice trailed off at this point, and the expression on her wee cat face changed slightly, as she realized this was the man she had heard about. The Fleet Captain’s… paramour. She blinked again.

He arches his eyebrows when she says she is looking for him and a wants to do follow-up medical exam.  Then she mentions his sister and then …  Poison’s land that Driss had taken over as part of her own brand of therapy.  And her face changes, which only confirms to him what he figured would happen.  The rumor mill was a finely oiled machine in Starfleet.  “I see you figured out who I am.”  his voice rumbles.  “And I feel fine so ….”  he catches himself a nanosecond before he dismissed the kit and slammed the door in her face so he could get back to worrying about money like a normal being.  He blows out a breath. “You want to come in and examine me, don’t you?”  it was more statement than question.  “Fine … come in, give me my clean bill of health and whatever.”  he pulls off his shirt and moves in enough for her to come inside.  “I had a sprained ankle and hip, four cracked ribs, three broken ones, plus a dislocated shoulder that I popped back in wrong, so a friend of mine REdislocated it and popped it in right.  I got an infection, but that got sorted out.”  he explains as he moves further in and stands beside the table he was about to work at.  He doesn’t explain what are obviously fresher wounds, to include a bite mark and a few scratches that can’t be more than a couple of days old.  “Do you need me to drop my pants to look at my hip?”  his voice is dry, a bit sarcastic, but not a bit shy or embarrassed at being half naked in front of a young Caitian … or anyone else.  He doesn’t like doctors, and doesn’t trust Starleet.  Only Poison … well and maybe that guy sniffing after his twin.  And for Po, he knows he should be polite for the sake of their relationship, so he adjusts his tone.  “Can I get you some coffee?  Tea? Um … milk?”  he offers, in obvious afterthought.

Kat follows him with her slitted cat eyes, observing his behaviour without appearance of judgement. Her training in objectively and psychology as well as her own cat nature led to her calm demeanor, and her patience. She had found most humans disliked silence and, if permitted, would fill the air with the sound of their voice nattering away about inconsequential things while ignoring the most pressing issue of their health as though it would just go away. She did not need to refer to her PADD as he listed his injuries, she had read the reports provided by Idrissa Senghor and Hars Darax with reference to Souleymane’s current condition, and she had also searched out and read past reports available to Starfleet, including several visits to the sickbay on DS9 for personal injuries obtained during, the attending doctor had noted in a wry tone, mating. In the dim light as Souley steps back to allow her to enter, she sees scratches on his chest and back as he moves, mottled areas on his skin, and what appears to be a bite mark on a shoulder. Perhaps he still had the same lover then. However the broken bones and dislocated shoulder he was reporting to her had been, so he claimed, obtained on Treman while he was there trading for goods. The last civilian to leave there alive, she imagined. In answer to his questions: “If you could just sit down, I will use my medical tricorder to assess the progress of your healing.  I also have a dermal regenerator for those scratches, I advise permitting that, for you do not want to risk infection. I require no beverages at this time, but thank you for offering them, very kind.” She puts her med kit on the table and waits for him to sit down.

Souleymane sat down and watched the Caitian doctor or nurse.  “Scan away.”  he encourages her.  “And the dermal regenerator would be much appreciated.  I’ve been disinfecting it with some of the local herbs.  Should be pretty clean.”  he watches her.  “Now, I remember you from when my sister was in your hospital.”  he says as she scans.  “But I didn’t get your name then, and I think it is just polite to give it to me now.”  he never got it.  Not then and not now.  All business, this one.  Both a blessing and a curse.

Kat begins her work, scanning him first with the medical tricorder, noting the state of the broken bones and spending some time to get a clear picture of the dislocated shoulder. Then she picks up the regenerator, carefully working her way around him, until his damaged skin is clean and normal again. She examines the bite mark on his shoulder. It appears to be from a humanoid, but she had noted some of the scratches were shaped in a way that suggested they were from an animal rather than a humanoid hand. The dog he mentioned, perhaps. Obviously untrained. She flicks her ears back in mute disapproval as she works to ensure the beam is correctly aimed. The bite mark slowly disappears. Her paws touching him as she worked have been gentle. Her voice is soft as she says, “You should feel better now.” She moves to her med kit and replaces the devices, and then sits down in a chair near him. “I am sure you dislike hospitals, many do. However, I would strongly urge you to come in soon. We would then be able to use the osteogenic stimulator to assist those broken bones to heal. It would be much advised to take care of these injuries properly so that you do not lose any range of motion in that arm, and so your breath is not impeded by continued pain in the ribcage.” She looks him over again, still assessing, and adds, “I would advise against any lifting or carrying for at least another three weeks without the stimulator. It’s important those ribs are kept in place so they heal correctly.”  She reaches to close the medkit with a snap, “If you would like to make an appointment I could be the one to do the treatment, so you don’t have to deal with someone you don’t know.” She rises then, to her short height, not much taller than the seated man, and waits for his reply.

Souleymane watches as she examines him and then suggests he come in ….. and limit his activities.  He already knows that mentioning it to Po will result in an argument … one his lover will win .. it’s something that aggravates him, as not even Kattel could convince him to so the things Po has.  So he may as well cave …. partially.  “I can’t limit my activities and still feed my family.”  he insists.  “And in any event …  I can’t come in to ask for you if I don’t know your name ….”  he protests.

Kat tilts her head, “My name is Kat Anjar, Nurse Practitioner, Majel Community Hospital. If you do not wish to limit your activities then I suggest you come in tomorrow for the treatment. Shall we say oh-eight-thirty?” She moves to the door, her paws a slight pitter patter on the uncarpeted floor. She is tempted to advise he open the windows and doors to clear the air of dog smell, but quashes that unprofessional thought.  She reaches for the door handle, turning it with just a little difficulty as her paws are not quite made to turn a knob the way a human hand would. Then she turns to look at him, silhouetted by the sun, and adds, “Best train that dog of yours not to jump on people. It could be dangerous.” She nods at the now invisible scratches on his chest and moves away.

Souleymane sighs.  “I’ll think about it.”  is all he will promise her.  He watches her on her way out the door and opens his mouth to tell her the scratches were from a wolf, not a dog, but thinks better of it.  That is not exactly a discussion he wants to have with her.

=^=

House of Healing

Kat Anjar enters Sick Bay after the long Staff Meeting, her whiskers twitching as she glances around the room. All empty except one bed. She moves to the console to check the data.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 lays and sighs, looking bored. But suddenly she smiles and closes her eyes a moment.

Kat Anjar: Ms Senghor *smiles as she walks towards the patient, "could I ask you to come with me please"

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 looks at the nurse and nods. "Where are we going?" she asks as she begins to follow.

Kat Anjar: "We just want to do an examination, prior to releasing you," she smiles, speaking gently, "and please do not worry about where you will go, the Fleet Captain left instructions for me."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 suddenly brightens. "Release?" she sighs in something akin to bliss. "Oh that would be wonderful." she clams up then not mentioning that she has no place to go, but anyplace is better than hospital. "Nothing against you but I hate hospitals."

Kat Anjar moves to the examination biobed, and assists the patient to lie down. She is pleased to see the girl seems brighter. Her skin looks smooth, the bruises fading, and her colour seems healthier. "Just lie here for a few moments, I will take your vitals and just do a scan to see that the bones are mended."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 lays still. "Alright ..."

Kat Anjar pats Driss's shoulder with a paw as she gazes at the console above the patient's head. Then she moves to the larger workstation to begin the scan. "Just lie still and relax, it won't be long, and you shouldn't feel anything."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 nods and lays as still as possible, but her eyes take in as much as possible.

Kat Anjar purrs musically as her nails fly over the console. Everything reads as expected. She notes a couple of things she'll need to advise the patient about. She carefully records all the information into the LCARs chart, and ends with the message that the patient is discharged and will be accommodated nearby for another week, as an outpatient.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 smiles very softly. "That is a beautiful sound." she murmurs. "Very soothing."

Kat Anjar looks up, "Do you have any personal items with you here? We can take them with us... if not, anything you need can be replicated or supplied."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 sighs and then shrugs. "I think my twin had some clothes for me, but they are on his ship, so I can't get to them." she murmurs. "So maybe something to wear ....." she suggests.

Kat Anjar moves from the console back to the patient. "We will help with clothes. Would you like to get down now?"
Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 nods and sits up. "Thank you." she says. "And please .. I apologize for being so difficult when I first got here."

Kat Anjar purrs softly, as she really can't smile without looking grim. "It's okay, you were not in good shape, and very far from home I hear. Now, do you feel up to a little walk outside? I have something to show you."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 nods. "Yes I'd love to get outside."

Kat Anjar nods, "It's lovely out, a bit cool, but nice. Come then," she reaches a paw to power down the biobed and turns to walk toward the sickbay doors, tail swishing.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 follows with a soft smile of anticipation.

Kat Anjar nods to the Cadet as he comes into the room, "Hello Cadet. Did you need something in sickbay? I am just about to take this patient to the new healing house, as she is discharged but needs a little medical supervision for a few days."

Duck Chesnokov: I was just going to do some homework for my exam next week

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 stops when the doors open and looks at the new arrival. After taking him in, she closes her eyes a few seconds before opening them again.

Kat Anjar twitches her whiskers with a little thrill of excitement at seeing another Caitian here at Astraios. She hopes her tail is properly brushed! "Acknowledged. If you'd like to see the new residences, you'd be welcome to come with us."

Duck Chesnokov: yes I would like to see them

Kat Anjar: "Follow me, then" she turns and goes through the door and out onto the grounds

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 remains silent and follows out the door.

Kat Anjar: "This way, please"

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 walks out the door and blinks in the bright sunshine, then follows, still silent.

Kat Anjar: "Are you going into Medical?" Kat asks the cadet as they walk towards the hills.

Duck Chesnokov: yes

Kat Anjar: It's just here, over the bridge, to the right, she clears her throat and points a paw at the house

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 smiles and nods. "Thank you so much ... nurse." she’s not sure how to address her

Kat Anjar: "Fleet Captain Toocool left orders for you to have this house for a few days while we... monitor your progress," she turns to the cadet, "this is brand new, close to the hospital for us to be able to visit or the patient to come in for daily checkups"

Kat Anjar: "Please go in"

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 smiles nods, takes a close look at the exterior then blinks. "Monitor my progress?" she looks at her. "What's left?" she looks suspicious.

Kat Anjar purrs softly as she crosses the threshold, aware the Cadet is with them she doesn't like to discuss anything too personal. "We want to ensure you keep your fluid levels up, and also the Fleet Captain wished you to have a home while you become ... familiar with the Colony."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 scans the interior of the space, almost like an old, twitchy android. She closes her eyes again. While listening, she nods. "That seems fair enough. And this place IS lovely." she looks at the cadet as if she hadn't noticed him before. "It's very ..... not Starfleet ... she looks around again, nodding to herself.

Kat Anjar points a paw to the replicator, "refreshments here, or you may come to the hospital canteen." She looks to Driss, "this land belongs to the Fleet Captain. She must think... she must wish you to be comfortable, she designed this herself."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 looks at the replicator. "I ..... think I'll .... try the canteen ...." she says slowly. She suddenly blinks again. "It does?" she considers it. "Souleymne must be working his ... um ... charms on her." she decides. "And I thought she didn’t like him."

Kat Anjar nods, "It's meant to be a place for healing, and I understand that FCapt Toocool is a lover of nature. I know she is vegan." nods approvingly, as it seems only right that sentient beings did not use animals in that way, "what do you think, Cadet?"

Duck Chesnokov: we must honor nature

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 nods. "My people are descended from ancient African tribes on Earth ... and so there are many meals I make that have no meat ... or aren't hurt by their lack of inclusion." she murmurs and looks at the fireplace. "I will have to make her a thank you dish." she nods to herself again, smiles and closes her eyes, sighing serenely.

Kat Anjar looks quizzically at Driss, "Souleymane... the man who visited you? I would not know," she shakes her head, although she saw the altercation between the two and knows the man was sent to the brig for a time. To Duck: "Yes, we must, especially on these worlds that are alien to us, that we are to protect and nurture. In reply to the girl, "She might like that."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 opens her eyes. "Yes. He's my twin brother." she explains. "I know they didn’t get off on the right foot, but Souleymane is very charming to everyone." she thinks very highly of her brother, although she also knows how he is and half hopes he doesn't irritate anyone into shooting his behind.

Kat Anjar: "The gardens here are vast," she says, not sure what to say about Driss's brother, who appeared rather rude when she saw him in the sickbay the first time. "FCapt Toocool is an avid gardener." She shuffles her feet, looking around, "this is quite lovely, I hope you enjoy your stay," feeling rather like a hotel employee at Risa instead of a civilian nurse at Majel Hospital. Her tail twitches and she hopes she doesn't leave any hairs on the carpets.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 's head swings around at the nurse at the word gardens. "Oh that will be fine indeed!" she claps her hand, plain and simply cheerful now. "You'll have to come back to check on me. I have you to thank also." she announces. Then looks at the cadet. "You too, just because you are too thin." she’s a cook at heard and is already itching to so exploring ... completely forgetting she is supposed to be healing here.

Kat Anjar nods to her, "I've enjoyed meeting you... please.. now we are outside of the hospital, call me Kat. I'm not an officer or anything, I don't stand on ceremony."

Duck Chesnokov: I am sure you will be seeing a lot more of me now that I have been transfer here

Kat Anjar to the Cadet, "If I can help in your studies, please let me know. I have been through Academy, I just elected to be a civilian... I'd rather stay at home than be deployed on ships."

Duck Chesnokov: I serve for years as CMO on ships for the Caitian defense force

Kat Anjar twitches her whiskers, "That's a lot of experience. I'm sure you'll be valuable here!"

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 looks surprised she isn’t an officer. "Kat then. And I am Idrissa or Driss. But you ARE Starfleet, aren't you?" she sighs "Forgive me. I don't have a lot of experience with Starfleet."

Kat Anjar: "I was. I resigned as I wanted to choose where to live and work. FCapt Toocool said she understood. She can be.. very official and commanding but sometimes, like when you see her garden, you know there's another side of her that most in UFS don't know"

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 nods. "That’s understandable. My father could be like that." she looks down then and swallows. "I will be sure to check those gardens out," she whispers.

Kat Anjar: "I should get back to my duties now," Kat says reluctantly, "but I can come back to..." she doesn't want to say "check" so..."see if you have everything you need, tomorrow morning."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 smiles and nods. "I would like that. Thank you." she sighs. "I am getting tired. I shouldn’t overwork the first day out."

Duck Chesnokov: it was very nice to meet you and I hope you enjoy your stay here

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 nods and smiles at the large cat

Duck Chesnokov: meow

Kat Anjar: "No, you shouldn't" she eyes her patient with a practiced glance, "I would rest now, and please make sure to drink some filtered water. If you need anything at all, contact me at the hospital.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 smiles and nods, showing them the door before resting

Kat Anjar looks to the Cadet, "nice to meet you Cadet, take care and see you soon," she moves to exit the house.

=A=

Post coccydynia surgery

 Kat Anjar enters sick bay for her shift, checking the roster of patients, and notes that Ms Senghor has been transferred from surgery.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 lays, simply looking around. Cautious.

Kat Anjar approaches the biobed, smiling gently, putting her PADD down on the end of the bed, and stepping over to take a look at the patient's vitals. "Hello," she says softly, "how are you feeling?"

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 looks around and then up at the nurse. She sounds extremly nervous. "I ... I'm .... okay I guess." she begins. "When can I see my brother?" she wonders right out of the box. "Where is he?"

Kat Anjar looks down, reaching a paw to stroke the patient's shoulder for a moment, "I'm not sure about your brother, I can check for you. What is his name?"

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 watches the paw touch her and then returns her gaze to the nurse. "Souleymane Senghor. He may have been ... detained." she looks towards the door hoping maybe he is going to come through it.

Kat Anjar: "After I finish here, I'll check the records and see what I can find out for you." Her movements are professional and swift as she checks the various readings. Her eyes are serious though.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 nods. "Alright ..." she begins to look around her at the place and lays back. "I'm in a Starfleet sickbay." she say, as if unable to believe it.

Kat Anjar: "You are in the Majel Community Hospital. It is part of the Starfleet Colony here on Astraios. But we treat many civilians here as part of our mission." She looks down at the patient, "Are you in any pain?"

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 listens and nods. "Not too much pain." she says and its unclear if she's lying or not. "When can I go find my brother." she asks, not terribly worried about herself.

Kat Anjar nods, noting the patient's temperature is still a bit high. "Ms Senghor... Idrissa," her voice is calm and hopefully soothing, "your condition is stable but you are not out of the woods yet. It would be better for you to rest and allow us to treat you so that you recover fully." She lowers her voice so noone else can hear, "We have repaired any broken bones, but there was quite a bit of damage to the.. base of the spine. I don't recommend much movement for the next 24 hours. We need the spine to stabilize or surgery will be required." She did not mention that the area seemed to have been traumatized more than once, without treatment. Even all their technology can't fit a puzzle back together if the pieces don't fit. They could replicate a spine now... but Kat always feels its best to allow the body to heal itself without that kind of intervention, unless there's no other choice. "Best rest," she says, "allow your body to heal, I will find your brother for you."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 listens to her. "Well .... If you can find him. He's all I have." she explained an lay back a bit. "I'll heal better if I know he's alright." she looks around again. "I've never had Starfleet treatment before. I hear its fast. SO ... I'll try and be patient...."

Kat Anjar prepares a hypospray with a small amount of painkiller. "I'm going to give you this to help with the pain. It should relax you a little, and you might feel a bit sleepy, but you don't have to sleep now if you'd rather not." She places the hypo on Driss's neck and presses it.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 cringes slightly away from the hypo but allows it. Her eyes narrow a bit and she nods. "Much better." she smiles, but it seems a little .... insincere.

Poison Toocool enters the hospital, nodding to the security officer at the entrance.

Kat Anjar smiles... lips pulling away from sharp little teeth. She pats Idrissa's shoulder with her paw, and steps away to go and look up the patient's brother on her console.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 lays and watches the bushy tail move away, she takes a deep breath and makes herself look relaxed.

Kat Anjar hears the door swish and turns to see who it is. Her eyebrows raise and she turns away from the screen, moving swiftly to greet the person who has entered. Despite herself, she feels a bit nervous. "ah... Fleet Captain, good morning Sir."

Poison Toocool enters sickbay briskly. She glances to the nurse, eyeing her uniform with a practiced eye, then allows her eyes to wander about the room. She notes the patient at the back. The room seems tidy and the air is fresh. "Report, please" she says to the nurse, "it's Anjar, isn't it?"

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 glances over as the door opens and yet another Starfleet walks in. She wonders what her brother could have been thinking. She moves her eyes to the ceiling, concentrating on it for a bit. She would never DREAM of eavesdropping. Never. Not her. No way. No how. The Starfleets make such a fascinating ceiling ... how could she not be fascinated with it?

Kat Anjar twitches her whiskers in surprise. The Colony Commander knows her name? "Wo... I mean, yes Ma'am... Sir. Kat Anjar." She turns to look behind her, hoping her tail is brushed out and that none of her hairs are on the carpet. "Did you wish to see the patien..."

Poison Toocool: "Report please on the condition of Ms Senghor. I understand she was moved down here today." Her voice is melodic, yet she speaks with the air of command.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 's are still on the ceiling. The blues so stark. But you better believe she heard her name. No ... she didn't ... its the being zoned out on drugs. Yes We'll go with that, eh.

Kat Anjar nods, "Yes Sir, she was..." her voice falls a little, "she had multiple traumas Sir. Some recent, some from... data shows her life has been difficult. She is stable now Sir, but not out of the woods. We need to rehydrate her, and we had to do extensive surgery to the coccydynia"

Poison Toocool nods to the nurse, "Thank you. May I see her, please?"

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 turns her head away from the people at the door, refocusing her attention on .... anything .... nothing ...

Kat Anjar nods several times, feeling stupid, "yes Ma... Sir, this way please," she walks towards the bio bed, going beyond it, taking a position on the far side, snapping to attention then forcing herself to breath and go to 'at ease'

Poison Toocool approaches the biobed, allowing her senses to open, her energy to glow... "Ms Senghor? May we speak for a moment, if you feel up to it..."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 arches her brows when the ..nurse ... walks into her field of view and snaps to attention then relax. She turns then tot he woman in the re shirt. A captain she thinks but isnt completely sure. "That depends on who you are." her voice is tinged with suspicion but not hostile.

Kat Anjar is surprised to hear Toocool's voice change from 'take charge' to something more... velvet and smooth as she speaks to the patient.

Poison Toocool: "My name is Poison Toocool," she says, approaching the bed and looking down at the girl. "I am Colony Commander here. I have reports on the ship you were on, and the gentleman you were with... Souleymane. I wondered if you could tell me how you came to be on that ship with him?"

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 looks at her. Interesting name. She begins to sit up as she hears Souleymane's name. "Where is he?" she demands. "He's my twin brother. He rescued me from the Atlas. Where IS he?" now she's getting agitated and, despite what the nurse told her, trying to get up.

Kat Anjar looks at the patient with alarm, and moves towards her, putting a paw on her shoulder, "tsk tsk, lay back, I am sure everything will be alright"

Poison Toocool: "He rescued you from the Atlas? what is that."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 only fights slightly. She hisses in the pain she can't hide with her movements and lays back. With an exasperated sigh, she looks at the dark haired woman. "The Atlas is a civilian ship that was hijacked on its way from Earth to DS9." she explains. "They took everyone on board and my brother rescued me." she bites her lip. "We were hiding in a nebula when one of your ships found us." the way she says your makes it seems shes torn between gratitude and annoyance.

Kat Anjar shuffles nervously, wondering if she should stay where she is or go. She was divided. Curious about the girl, nervous she'd make a fool of herself in front of the most senior officer on the base. Her whickers twitched.

Poison Toocool: "It's a good thing we did find you," Toocool says firmly. "Our data shows the warp coil in the Motherland was degrading. If we hadn't come along, you would have been stuck there indefinitely."

Poison Toocool looks to the nurse, "Please go about your duties. Thank you for your report."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 looks at the officer. "As long as I was with my brother, I couldn't care less if we had to live in a nebula." she snaps but then swallows and sniffs, her eyes filling with tears. "Three years I haven't seen him and now you've taken him. Where is he? He's all I HAVE." and a tear escapes

Kat Anjar moves away, although she can hear Driss talking. She goes to a console and begins to review some test results.

Poison Toocool looks to Idrissa, "Your brother is on his way here, do not worry... I take it then it wouldn't have been a problem if the Motherland drifted out of the nebula... and was found by a Treman patrol?"

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 looks up at her. "He went INTO the nebula to AVIOD Tremans." she tells her. "But even if we had, Souleymane would have protected me. He always has." she has a fierce devotion to her twin.

Poison Toocool nods, "Can you tell me why you were avoiding the Tremans?" She turns to look at the Security Officer at the entrance, nodding to her.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 looks at the woman. "Because they're PIRATES?" she suggests, unable to believe this woman wouldnt know that. Her eyes cut to the security officer. "You think my brother is a pirate too? Well he's NOT."

Poison Toocool: "Whether he is a 'pirate' or not, he was on a vessel known to us as being involved in smuggling illegal materials in this Sector. Perhaps also, from the DNA traces, a ship that has carried sentient beings to the slave markets," her voice tightens, remembering her own kidnapping.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 looks at her. "Are you calling my brother a slaver?" she asks, her voice now very cool.

Souleymane.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 stands with his escort, his face impassive.

The security officer steps through the sickbay door, gesturing to him to come with her, pointing to the bio bed and the Fleet Captain.

Poison Toocool turns as the door swiches open, and seeing the two figures as they move in.

Ensign Venice stands back, watching.

Souleymane.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 moves in and past the security officer. Beeline to his sister. "Driss." he reaches for her hand, ignoring the Starfleet Captain. "You okay?" he looks her body up and down. Dris nods. "They think you're a slaver," she accuses and looks at the captain, who Souleymane finally notices. "Who are you, anyway?" he demands.

Poison Toocool keeps her eyes on the brother as he moves towards her. As she catches his scent, she is startled. Her eyes search his face. The words said between him and Driss are like a blur. She is transported, in her mind, to that time on the rusty old Klingon station, when, drugged and threatened with rape, she was tied to a biobed... "You..." she mutters, struggling within herself, "I know you..."

Ensign Venice sees the Fleet Captain's reaction and moves forward in alarm.

=A=