Shapes in Shadows

[erei'Riov Saren Zareth]

He merely stood by and watched everything happen, the new loops coming and going and it took 3 tries to get the fighters successfully aboard

When he heard the Riov say to prepare a shuttle, that she was leaving the ship, he quickly turned to her

"Lhhei, YOU are leaving the ship in the midst of a battle?" He asked, with the emphasis on you "Do you think that is wise?" He asked her

[tmeryl]

T'meryl shook her head to clear her thoughts from the loops. the experience of death had been fascinating. She tried to advance the readings before the next loop occured

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

Though Liordra addressed the Subcommander, her eyes were on the main viewscreen.

"If the Breen are allowed to leave the Nexus, it will not be long before they discover the illusion of their success and return. We have learned that the loop we are in can be extended to include new actions and physical space. Now that our personnel have been recovered, my intention is to use the shuttle to lock the Breen into our own loop."

This was not in fact the full truth, she needed to get away from the ship and and drop the shuttle's cloak. The only way to change the events was to use the Nexus directly.

[erei'Riov Saren Zareth]

Though The Riov addressed him, he saw that her eyes never left the view screen. His eyes, however, were on the Riov herself. He heard her explain what she was thinking of doing: "If the Breen are allowed to leave the Nexus, it will not be long before they discover the illusion of their success and return. We have learned that the loop we are in can be extended to include new actions and physical space. Now that our personnel have been recovered, my intention is to use the shuttle to lock the Breen into our own loop."

To him, that spelled extreme risk and danger and he said as much "That is an extreme risk, Li..." he paused, about to call her by her first name. Something not to be done, especially on the Oria "..Lhhei. I would like to volunteer for this mission as you are the central key to this ship and as important as the Elements themselves."

His voice was cool and somewhat neutral, but a fire burned in his eyes

[tmeryl]

T'meryl turned to the Riov. "I think it would be logical for me to accompany him. I think I could get much better data than I can from here."

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

"A command grade officer is hardly irreplaceable, Subcommander. You and if necessary, T'Vlack, are more than capable of taking my place if required." She nodded to each of them in emphasis.

Dhivael was her ship, her responsibility. She had already experienced once the power of the Nexus and knew it's force. This was not something she would delegate to anyone else.

"Would anyone else care to question my decision?"

Her voice was calm but it had an edge to it that would brook no argument.

[erei'Riov Saren Zareth]

The fire in his eyes went out as the Riov spoke again, or more accurately, got stamped out

He wanted to argue with her to tell her that he wished to go on this mission due to the risks, but the Riov has spoken and made up her mind. If he questioned her now, he would more or less forfeit his life

He remained silent, but the look in his eyes spoke volumes

[jerrodrenn]

Renn wasn't sure if he had grasped the full truth of what the Enarrain was about to attempt, but he knew that it was important to the outcome of the event. Whatever had been done was the doing of the nexus and not the Breen. The only thing left to do then was to take action. "Riov, I don't fully grasp your plant, but if au are planning to take a shuttle out there I would volunteer my services as your astronavigator. " He cleared his throat and continued. "If for vafaan(whateever) reason your shuttle is struck and au were to be rendered unconcious it would be prudent to make sure your plan was still carried out in full."

[Arrain Terrh Sahen]

He heard the Commander and Sub Commander discuss who was to go out into the shuttle and do what either of them planned, the Commander/Riov getting the upper hand by making her decision final

He heard the Operations Officer speak up by saying "Riov, I don't fully grasp your plant, but if au are planning to take a shuttle out there I would volunteer my services as your astronavigator. If for vafaan(whateever) reason your shuttle is struck and au were to be rendered unconcious it would be prudent to make sure your plan was still carried out in full."

He turned to the Bah'jorann saehne, with a mildly annoyed look "If anyone should navigate the shuttle for the Leih, it should be me"

He spoke loud enough for both ohrie saehnie'a to hear him

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

Nearly every officer there showed their concern, their loyalty. Even those who were not Rihannsu. For a moment she allowed herself to be fully open to that feeling of unity of purpose. It might be the last time she would experience it. She could be certain now that if she did not return, the ship would be left in the care of those who were worthy.

She addressed Operations and Helm simultaneously.

"Your loyalty is commendable, but it is hardly appropriate to double the risk and lose two rather than one. If I were to be rendered unconscious, it is likely you would be as well."

She shifted her stance so that she was visible to all.

"Everyone here has shown they are willing to place their lives at risk for the sake of this ship. There is no doubt whatsoever of your honor and it is not less honorable that you remain here and protect the ship rather than myself."

The brief smile that followed turned into an expression of resolve. She nodded to Ops.

"At the beginning of the next cycle, initiate site to site transport directly into the shuttle."

[Salissa t'Vlack]

She remained in the shadows a place she knew well. She watched with interest as each loop developed and ended. She observed the Riov closely, as if under a microscope. So far Liordra was doing very well, she needed no assist from her.

Liordra had drawn the same conclusions as she had. They had to take some action or remain in a loop without end. Most unagreeable and counter productive. The reactions of her crew was impressive, she had won their loyalty in such a short time frame.

[jerrodrenn]

My proposal was not a matter of vanity or the desire to sacrifice my life. It was one of practicality and I apologize if it was misinterpreted. I shall have the commands keyed in for you word Riov." He went back to his controls hoping that whatever happened they would be rid of the horrible nexus.

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

(Modified 8/18)

She spared a glance for Jerrod. With everything happening so quickly, she realized, he hadn't yet given a oath of loyalty. At the moment this worked in his favor for he had just stated that his actions were not motivated by it but rather by practicality alone and then compounded this by apologizing for any misunderstanding that might have led to her thinking it was so. She would confront this issue later.

The next loop began and Jerrod activated the transport. tr'Kayton had prepared the shuttle and it took only a few moments to make all systems ready for launch.The shuttle glided smoothly forward, shields and cloak immediately engaged as she cleared the bay doors. The battle ahead appeared as a dream. A fruitless one, she reminded herself. It existed only in the minds of the Breen who had created it. Whole worlds could be created and conquered here. Truly a warrior's paradise. She would have been inclined to leave them here for all eternity, like those warriors of the Terran Valhalla, who died and were resurrected each day to fight again, but this dream had also killed.

By now she had observed this battle so many times that she could guide the shuttle close while avoiding the worst of the fire. The picture Liordra held in her mind was a simple one that left as little room for error as possible. She dropped the cloak...

Immediately, Liordra felt the Nexus's influence. This time she was ready for it. It did not to go in search of her desire, she held it clearly in her mind. The battle ended. The Breen triumphant in their victory.

[***Dhivael Action***]

Dhivael appears back at Gaia, at the same point they entered the temporal barrier. The Breen ships are just exiting and again they pick up the message.

Breen Commander "Confirm location."

Second ship "Location confirmed. We have returned to point and time of mission inception."

Breen Commander "Success! The Federation is destroyed! Prepare to return to the homeworld."

[erei'Riov Saren Zareth]

The Next loop began and Liordra was transported to the shuttle. As it left the ship, he watched it like a mogai ( a large flying predatory creature )

As the Shuttle moved further away from the Dhivael, he had it mind to instruct the Gonai-saehne to follow the shuttle discreetly and have the Amnei'Saehne extend the shields around the shuttle to protect the thaehos within

But he done neither. He had to trust Liordra and what she was doing, hoping it was the right thing to do, he reflected. Then he thought if she gets blown to space dust, then he would resume as the Dhivael's Commander

Before he knew it the scene shifted again and the Dhivael returned to the point where this whole nightmare began: At Gaia

He again heard the transmission from the Breen, where they had succeeded in destroying the Federarion by interrferring in the natural flow of time. His brow lifted slight as his eyes widened just as slightly

He glanced at the Riov to guage her reaction

OOC: If she is there and still not on the shuttle..