A Test of the Mind

[Salissa t'Vlack]

She noticed the casual attitude of the Riov and raised an eyebrow. Nonetheless, it was of no real concern to her. What was would be addressed soon.

"Riov explain the meaning of this." she made a sweeping motion with her hand. "And while you at it, explain your recent behavior." She stood there and waited.

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

"I fail to see where your confusion stems from. .. Khrein. These are our guests and I am seeing to their well-being."

Her voice was calm but there was a edge of challenge to it.

" What is it you 'think' you see that requires explanation?"

[Salissa t'Vlack]

Behind her Deletham stood and took a step forward. Salissa raised her hand and he remained where he was.

She cleared her throat, "Since reason seems to evade you let me rephrase that in more simple terms. Why are you playing host to colonist who are clearly not who they seem to be? My question will be after your answer."

[erei'Riov Saren Zareth]

As he walked with Liordra into the cargo bay with the Colonists, he merely observed as Liordra ordered the Daise'Dheno to release the colonists. What troubled him was the smile that he saw the head colonists giving the Riov. He could not see the smile the Riov gave since he was partially behind her

As the Riov spoke to the colonists, he noted there was a change in demeanor, as if they were now inited in a collective unity. Did this mean trouble for the Dhivael?

Before he could contemplate further, the dors to the cargo bay opened, and he turned to see the visitor. His back immediatelt straightened as he saw the visage of the Tal'shiar saehne t'Vlack, hearing her question the Riov on her recent behaviour and the scene now playing out before them

[Salissa t'Vlack]

She looked at the erie'Riov, saying nothing but depending on what would happen soon they may be alot she has to say to him.

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

"They are precisely what they seem to be, Khrein. The future of the Empire. It was the Tal Shiar who understood and choose to train these individuals to enhance their talents. Surely you do not question 'their' judgment in this?"

There was a stirring behind her as the colonists appeared slightly agitated. She held up a hand in the same manner as t'Vlack had and they quieted.

[Salissa t'Vlack]

"The future of the Empire? Are you either a fool or one of the idiots who I believe have been infected by the them?"

She looked to the colonist, "Do not attempt to enter my mind, unless you want a most unpleasant experience. I have been trained to deal with the likes of you all."

Unknown to the Riov, Salissa started off in the TS in the Mind War Division specifically the Psionic Warfare department. From there she move rapidly into other areas.

[Arrain Vrih R'Mor]

He never took his eyes off the colonist as Salissa and the Riov talked, he did catch the Riov raise her hands to the Colonist.

He was starting to think the Riov was being infected by the them, this was not a good sign if its true

[jerrodrenn]

Renn had felt similar to what this Tal'Shiar Khrien did about the colonist. He surely had no proof as he was 'mind blind', but all of his suspicions had been put into words.

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

She raised an eyebrow imperiously. "Foolish is ignoring what should be done in favor of what takes little to achieve. Foolish is fearing to go forward and risk that which you have in order to gain more. Is your service determined only by doing that which is safe? Perhaps the time you have spent assisting the Alliance fleet has made you forget what is owed to your Emperor."

[Salissa t'Vlack]

"Your definition of foolish is flawed. Let me explain as simply as I can. These," she sweeps a hand at the room of supposed colonist. "are not the colonist sent at all. They are the physical bodies, who the beings are using, such as a change of clothing would be to you or me. The purpose is clear, so clear even you in your infected state should see it. It is to take over the Empire, under the guise of whatever they have told you."

"I have sworn with my life to protect the Empire and that I will do. Hear me well Riov, you are nothing to them but a pawn, a toy to be used and discarded after their ends are achieved. You say I fear them, that Riov is the height of both foolish and distorted thinking." a look of disgust and disdain was clearly visible and directed at, the for the moment, the Riov of this vessel. " Am I the only one of command level on this vessel, who see's and who will stand up to them. What a pathetic crew this vessel has. Perhaps my recommendation when this over is that you all need to re-enter the academy."

"I am clear on what is owed to my Emperor and to the citizens of the Empire. And it is what I do daily. Do not force my hand Riov you will find it uncomfortable at best, and you do *not* want to know what it is at its worst."

"This is a D'deridex, a warship, in case you have forgotten, it is *not* a civilian transport ship for colonist to use. Even you should see this as the first evidence of your flawed reasoning caused by them controlling you."

She stood there for a moment, it was not because she was unsure of herself or what to say. It was to control her feelings of wanting to take what was calling herself a Riov and killing her where she stood. That would serve no purpose what so ever. Her plan at the moment was much better and would make a lasting impression on everyone.

"Riov, I am waiting for your explaination and plans on riding this warship of its civilians. Or I will, and trust this, it will not be pleasent. And you have a chance to prove your loyalty to the empire. And only a fool would not see or understand this."

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

Liordra faced t'Vlack defiantly, eyes ablaze with the challenge that had been leveled at her, then suddenly her shoulders slumped and she lowered her eyes in apparent defeat.

"The Tal Shiar requested the Dhivael for this mission. I have no doubt they considered the protection of a warship necessary to the successful completion of it. I believed that this ship was chosen because it represented the best that Galae could offer, but I can see now that you are correct. I had lost sight of what we were intended to do."

She paused, her head tilted slightly as if she were listening to something.

"I will rectify the situation and we will return to ch'Rihan immediately." She opened her comm link and addressed the Flight Control Officer. "Arrain Sahen, reverse course and revert to our original mission coordinates."

[Arrain Terrh Sahen]

His attention picked up a bit as he sat at the Gonai control board, he hearing the voice of the Riov on his communications device, ordering a return to their original mission course and heading "Ie, Riov. At once." He replied, tapping the controls for new course and heading. He briefly wondered what prompted the new order

[erei'Riov Saren Zareth]

He listened to the two nviahr-a as they exchanged words in a heated discussion. He saw the fire in the Riov's eyes and inwardly he is hoping she would win the debate, but then much to his surprise, he saw something enter her eyes that he never that he'd see: Defeat. She'd given up? He blinked, barely disguising the surprise he felt.

He relaxed his stance a bit, as his back started to protest for being in a formal stance for so long. He then caught the slight tilt of the Riov's head and that seemed to add a little more mystery to the Riov's mood and actions as of late. He thought it was time to speak up "Riov. I have noticed your actions and mood has been a bit erratic as of late. I am curious enough to ask if you are feeling well?"

He then thought of what happened in the Riov's Office. He had thoughts wondering if her actions were her own or was she truly being coerced as the discussion had implicated

[Salissa t'Vlack]

She watched the Riov closely, so closely that one could say it was like joining minds, becoming one, or looking into her soul. She listened to the erei'Riov and watched as he was pulled in with the Riov-a apparent change of mind. She was growing weary of this and her patience was almost exhausted.

Did they really think she was a fool, or maybe not inteligent enough to know a mind game when she saw it, and it would be sucide to think she was. You didn't get to where she was being anyone's fool. Deletham standing behind her to the right side, to be closer to the Riov shook his head so slightly that if you were not looking directly at him you would never see it.

"Riov, I grow tired of this game. The fire in your eyes could not be extingushed as fast as you want to me to believe. The one who controls your mind would not accept defeat this quickly. Nor would I accept this" she moves her hand to look like she swatted at an insect. "feigned look of defeat you have on your face."

"We need time to discuss this logically. You and your officers come with me so we can talk except for Arrain R'Mor ."