Divided

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

Liordra picked up the disc and examined it, cautiously optimistic. "I will review the information. If it is as you say, both you and the Daise'Dheno are to be commended." Outwardly, she remained calm, detached; inwardly the desire to follow the Borg, the confirmation that Starfleet was involved and engineer's belief that he might be able to create a working model all roiled in her mind. Once she submitted her report, any additional action would be out of her hands and with the Khrein on board, any independent initiative she chose to take would be scrutinized.

"Khnai'ra*, Subcommander. I will speak with you again soon."

*(Thank you, sup. to inf. mode)

[erei'Riov Saren Zareth]

He merely stood there and watched as she picked up the disk and studied it "I will review the information. If it is as you say, both you and the Daise'Dheno are to be commended."

"Ie' Lhhei" He said simply, thinking the Daise'Dheno should be commended more since she found the disk

"Khnai'ra*, Subcommander. I will speak with you again soon."

He gave a nod, then a bow of respect "As you command, Lhhei" He heard that was a dismissal. He simply turned and made his way out of the Riov's Ready Room

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

She waited for the doors to close then opened a comm to Engineering.

"erei' Arrain Quol, vaed'rae* in my Ready Room."


*Attend me.

[Veralen Sahen]

She came out of her thoughts of home and looked at her console. Nothing had changed nor had she expected that it would. She stood with her hands clasped behind her back glancing from her monitors to the VP.

[Arrain Quol]

Quol heard the call from the Commander, he stood from his desk to respond, but while rising he thought of the missing algorithm for the quantum stay bridge he had been trying to think of. Grabbing his PADD he implemented it and watched the simulation. Then he tried another and then another, not realizing ten minutes had gone by. By the time he looked up he realized he was still standing by his desk with the Commander waiting.

The Ferengi walked out of his office and made his way out of Engineering. On his way out his assistant engineer bumped into Quol hard with his elbow. The impact from the larger officer knocked the Ferengi sideways, the PADD dropping from his hand as he stumbled. With no apology the AE kept walking as if he had noticed nothing. Quol thought of saying something but knew it would do no good, and the Commander was waiting. He picked up his PADD, and continued on his way.

Several moments later he appeared in front of the CO's ready room, and rang the chime to announce his visit.

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

Liordra had been studying the contents of the disc and become so involved, she frowned at the sound of the alert.

"Plhere." * Her voice had an unintended edge to it.

(*Enter)

[Arrain Quol]

Quol jumps at the voice that tells him to enter. He couldn't catch his breath. He had to lean on the near-by bulkhead as he tried to get control of his breathing. All the nastiest things he had ever heard of Romulans all of a sudden came back to him.

The Sub-Commander must have told her about my theories. I knew I shouldn't have said anything. They are going to torture me to get the rest of the information... or worse. They will open up my head an extract it manually... is such a thing even possible... actually the brain is nothing more than an electrically run computer system.... If they were able to hook up a high-capacity fiber-optic interface to the frontal and lower lobes... Schuman once hypothesized that all energy and electrical currents held within them a discernible pattern that could be downloaded and translated in order to learn the innate massages that all energy holds from what it was being...

He looks up suddenly, and enters into the office. For some reason he felt better. He comes to a stop in front of the Commander and gives a salute. Reporting as order, ma'am.

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

She looked up as Quol entered and for a few moments, simply studied the Ferengi's face. She wasn't certain what she was looking for. Sincerity? Deception? A Ferengi's eyes were always darting about and it gave an impression of careless inattentiveness. As she was seated, she did not return his salute but instead nodded her acknowledgement.

"There is a requirement that any officer serving aboard an RSE vessel who holds a position of responsibility, such as a department head, be required to take an oath of loyalty. As Daise'Paectum and as one of only a few officers who observed first hand the experimental Borg engine, I must now have your oath that you will serve both this ship and myself and would offer up your life in exchange should you fail in that service."

If Quol felt any uncertainly or reluctance in giving this oath, she needed to know now. In Starfleet, if an officer could not be trusted to fulfill the responsibilities of an office, he would simply not be allowed to advance. Here however, if she could not trust an officer, it would likely mean his death.

[Arrain Quol]

Quol blinked for a moment as he filtered through the words the Commander said. They had to work their way around the space-time bridge algorithms, the neo-quantum theories, and even the small part of his brain that actually was Ferengi in some way or another. The word oath was something he understood and perhaps, for once, there was more behind his distant stare than just mathematics and nebulous theory...

For the first time he looked the Romulan in the eye. Would you even trust any oath of loyalty I gave you? He settled his voice to keep it from cracking. The 15th Rule of Acquisition: A good lie is easier to believe than the truth; the 83rd Rule of Acquisition: The only loyalty you owe is to your own coffers; the 17th Rule of Acquisition: A contract is a contract is a contract ... but only between Ferengi.

Excuse my skepticism, Commander, but I doubt that any words uttered to you by a Ferengi would hold much weight... I see it in every Romulan eye that turns my way, every time that someone has to count the dinnerware in the Lounge after I leave, or whenever a bottle of ale goes missing and I have some furious junior officer who wants to rifle through my quarters looking for it. I have put up with it all, and I have always performed every job that has been asked of me. I could say any words you want me to, but they would never really erase any doubt as to where my true loyalties lied. He cleared his throat a moment before continuing.

Commander, I gave my oath to Starfleet and beyond that to the Officer Exchange Program. As far as I am aware that means that you have my oath to serve aboard your ship with the same dedication, respect, and ability as I would serve in Starfleet. I'm sorry, but for the rest you will have to take me on my actions up to this point for the real show of where my loyalties lie. Quol stood and waited, for once his entire attention focused on the person before him. He swallowed hard and waited.

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

She met his gaze and held it. Would he maintain his own or would uneasiness cause him to look away? He seemed to be giving over his full effort to impressing on her his veraciousness.

"Your actions will most certainly be judged. Unlike those Rihannsu officers serving aboard Federations ships, whose errors are often overlooked, you are held to a higher standard. Your actions reflect your sense of honor and honor is the foundation of our service. Without that honor it is better that you die than disgrace yourself and others by acting without it. Do you understand?"

Without waiting for his response, she continued. "I am already aware of the resistance you face in subordinating your juniors. That is something that you must resolve on your own if their respect is to be gained. I can however make the way easier for you. You have the responsibility of your position and are entitled to a commensurate rank. As of this date, the records will indicate your promotion to the rank of Arrain."

She typed out the order, signed it, transferred it to an ISD and held it out to Quol.

[Arrain Quol]

He looked at what the Romulan had held out for him to see, silently thankful for the excuse to break from her gaze. I will endevour to do my best, Commander. He had to fight the shaking from taking hold of his voice. Thank you, ma'am.

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

She regarded him for a moment longer. His fear was apparent and he looked as if it took all his remaining courage not to bolt from the room. She had wanted to question him further about the interphasic drives but now she perceived he had reached the limit of his endurance.

She directed her attention back to file display on her console. "Dismissed, Arrain."

[Arrain Quol]

Aye, ma'am. He turned to leave as quickly as he could trying to keep his composure. Instead he tripped over his feet and went down into a crumpled heap on the floor. Instantly he popped back up and tried to make a salute before hurrying out the door. He walked quickly through the bridge and got onto the turbolift.

Thankfully it was empty and he slumped down to the floor as it descended back toward engineering. Quol had never been good with these sorts of confrontations, that was partly why he never went far in business. He had no stomach and his lobes were the size of humans he could hear his brother;s voice. At least the Commander hadn't killed him... yet, but she had basically signed his death warrant. His position of authority in Engineering had been confirmed. The rest of the engineering crew will be over joyed, he thought with a laugh. He hated being in command. He just wanted a quiet corner near the QS drive and a good PADD full of warp theory.

By the time the turbolift doors opened he was standing again. He walked back into Engineering his head held high to the Romulan crew that towered over him. The 253rd Rule of Acquisition: Death is tall, duck...

[Veralen Sahen]

She continued to moniter the area near them for any threats to the ship. Even though they were alone.

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

Quol stumbled, stammered and attempted a salute as he exited. Liordra sighed, resting her chin on the back on her hand. She removed the disc and contemplated it. This one small thing, the only thing apart from the scant scans they had been able to retrieve from the sphere, held the potential to alter the balance of power for whomever held it. There could no longer be any doubt of it. She felt an unusual sense of propriety and when she considered it, was loathe to part with the prize. Where the Federation's presence had kept her from physically gaining the ship and it's drives, the disc provided details of construction and navigation that, if Quol was not exaggerating, could be re-engineered. Starfleet had failed in it's own attempt to acquire this information. Unless they were fortunate enough as before to find the sphere, they perhaps never would.

Before her resolve faded, Liordra sent a message to the Khrein's quarters, requesting a meeting with her so that she could present the information they had obtained, personally.