A Test of the Mind

[jerrodrenn]

Renn shook himself out of his thoughts as the communicator activated. "Yes Riov, the colonist remain unconscious. I'm on my way to the oira to give you a full briefing."

He let the doctor know to continue monitoring the colonist and to let him know if anything changed. It didn't take long to get to the Oira. He entered and saluted the Riov.

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

Liordra greeted Renn warmly when he entered, setting aside the overly formal response of returning his salute.

"I wished to let you know how much I appreciate your work. You have done an excellent job with the colonists so far. I think perhaps you have come to realize their importance and though I am sick of heart for the sacrifices made, you must have realized too, that they are small when compared to the necessity of the colonists' well-being."

[jerrodrenn]

Renn looked at the Riov with a puzzled expression. With all due respect Lhhei, we were tasked with handing these colonist over to the Tal'Shiar. This mission is theirs not the colonists.

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

"The Tal Shiar are here are they not?" She replied, though it clearly did not address his question. She stood and unnecessarily smoothed the material of her tunic. "Vaed'rae." The formality of the command was offset by the smile she gave him. Liordra walked to her office, expecting Renn to follow.

[jerrodrenn]

Now Renn was really confused. He was in a tough position. The Riov had seriously breached protocol which was not like her, and had lost mission objective. He looked around the Oira hoping someone might offer some explanation that this was a test of some sort or joke. A confirmation of neither would be forthcoming. If he had been a test they would not tell him, and Romulans were not the type to work in what the humans called 'shenanigans'. He followed the Riov into her office because whatever was going on bore investigation.

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

Liordra entered and sat down, not at her desk, but in one of the chairs provided for guests, and gestured for Renn to do the same.

"Please make yourself comfortable. I am very interested in everything you have to tell me about our honored pinhere-a. (guests)"

[jerrodrenn]

He regarded his commanding officer looking into her eyes. He wasn't sure what he was looking for, but he was sure something was missing. "From the beginning: We secured the colonist when we had this unexplained event where in our security saw and threat that still did not register on the sensors. By the time I'd arrived, our Daise'Dheno was dead. While preparing her body for relatives it suddenly reanimated. I won't say it returned to life, more like it was a puppet being moved on strings. The direct result of that caused the death of our science officer. I've recommended that the colonist be kept in stasis for the remainder of the journey back to ch'Rihan. Even with this measure, I have noticed unusual brain activity among the leader. That is what I have so far.

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

"I see" She frowned. "These deaths are quite distressing but how can you be certain that the colonists were responsible in any way for what happened? Apart from the 'miscommunication' that led to the unfortunate confrontation in the Cargo Bay, I do not see where there is any direct evidence to suggest the colonists were involved. I am certain you did what you felt was correct however, if no proof can be offered, you must remove them from stasis."

With the utensils nearby, Liordra casually began to prepare tea. It was a black variety with a loamy aroma that reminded her of home after a storm had passed.

[Reha Khev]

back post

She was asked by the Riov if her behavior was a cause of concern. She knew she to becareful in her response. Was her behavior odd, indeed it was very odd for her. Was it worrisome, to a degree it was. But as humans would say the jury was still out.

"Riov, there is some concern for your change in attitude. But you continue to lead as expected, advancing the Rihannsu agenda. Tending to the mission, but I do have concerns about the change in course and direction. But then I am not privy to all the information you have."

Current posting

She continued to work at her console she had more to do since Salissa came aboard. But in a way it was a welcome challenge.

[jerrodrenn]

Renn was taken completely aback by the Riov statement. "Lhei, I would ask for two sun cycles to further investigate to attain the proof that you need. Besides I feel that stasis might even be safer for the colonist. It further avoids another misunderstanding with our security officers." Renn's mind had to work fast he needed time to regroup and he hoped this might buy some.

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

"And we might all be safer if we stayed on the Homeworlds but then we would never see the greater glory of the expansion of our Empire. I also can not see how you will be able to make this determination when you are unable to speak with the colonists themselves. They have spoken very little and in fact have done very little since coming aboard. I do not see how you can suspect them."

She picked up two small cups of tea and set one down in front of Renn. The cups were made of a type of wood native to ch'Rihan, similar to teakwood on Earth. Liordra sipped hers delicately and inhaled the aroma with a sigh of satisfaction, indicating with her eyes the pleasure it gave her and inviting him to taste as well.

"When one is away from home the smallest things can bring the greatest comfort." She sipped again then put the cup down.

"Au may have the two sun rounds however I would prefer it be completed in less. We will not be stopping at ch'Rihan as previously anticipated. We are to continue instead toward Beta Trianguli. Do your work quickly."

[jerrodrenn]

Gratitude Lhei, I shall be sure the matter is settled quickly as you wish. He stood taking her words as a dismissal, but his mind was racing. Changing course and going against the wishes of the Tal'Shiar. Renn was not Rihannsu, but the reputation of that feared group had traveled all the way to Bajor.

He entered the oira seeking only one person..the Sub-commander. He found him engaged with another officer about a report and stood as patiently as he could considering the circumstance.

[erei'Riov Saren Zareth]

As he waited on the Oria, while the Riov had wanted to speak privately with the Bajoran Officer about the Colonists in her ready room, he heard Sahen's voice responding to the Engineering Chief's report.

He turned a look towards her as he heard mention of some tactical upgrades. Curious, he walked over "Vah tactical upgrades shall we be experiancing? With our current destination, I am certain we will need them."

As he awaited the Amnei-saehnae-a response, Renn came out of the Riov's Ready Room and walked over to his side. He could almost sense his agitation as he stood in close proximity

Turning to the Bah'jorann saehnae, he could see by his facial expression that something is troubling him "Something troubles au, erei'Arrain?" He asked casually

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

It had been a breach of courtesy for Renn to have refused to share the tea with her but for now she felt inclined to be tolerant of his lapse. She nodded as he acknowledged the dismissal and hurried out, then leaned back more comfortably in the chair and finished her own cup.

"Soon." She thought. Though Liordra sensed they were coming to the culmination of something important, she could not have, if asked, answered as to what that something was.

[Arrain Vrih R'Mor]

He was checking on the dheno team he left to guard the bodies, the guards had orders only certain people were aloud in that room, He could see the leaders chamber and the high brain active this concerned him