A Test of the Mind

[Salissa t'Vlack]

She heard him call to her but she had picked up mentally. She continued to the Riov-a quarters. She rang the chimes and walked in.

"Riov, I have decided to give you one last chance. But first I will shield your mind from those who have controlled you and then once you see the error of your decision I expect you to clean up the mess you made. If not ........" She left that to trail off purposely.

"Feel better now, Riov since your mind is your own? Do you see now how they have taken over the oria for their own purpose?"

"We are done here, but fail and I will take drastic measures to protect the Empire, understood? I do this only since we are far enough from our world to allow you a chance to clean up your own mess."

She didn't wait for any answer she was disgusted with this Riov who would allow anything to threaten the Empire. She walked directly back to the Bajorian interested in hearing him out.


She reached the Bajorian's quarters and then rang the chimes.

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

Liordra heard little of what the Tal Shiar officer said but she understood the intent. As the shield the Khrein had put in place began to take effect, the voices she had heard, soft but incessant, stilled and she was left with only her own thoughts.

Even so, she found, she was of two minds. She still saw the potential in this. The colonists were the first of a group of highly skilled and powerful psi's. They had been trained in methods beyond those that were commonly taught and had it not been for the influence of the Iruhe, these individuals might already have been placed among the Fleet or sent out on intelligence missions. The Iruhe however, had been able to detect these minds among all the rest and use them to draw others, such as herself to them. If they were successful with Dhivael, then others would follow and be caught in the same trap. This group had failed. Whatever power they had been offered by the Iruhe had corrupted them.

She remained in her quarters. For the time being however, she could not allow the colonists to know that she was now shielded from the effects of the Iruhe and if she could be shielded, then the ship could be as well. R'Mor had not been with them when they had come to the Oira. He would be one of the few not controlled or unconscious. "Dheno hallh'na!" (Security, report! (urgent)

[Arrain Vrih R'Mor]

Hearing the Rivo he hits his com badge "ihhei I have security watching the Colonist but not engaging them" he would report "Science is trying to isolate the EEG Brain waves to block them, this will take some time ihhei, once their EEG waves are blocked Dheno will return them to cryo on your orders" he adds

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

"You understand the situation well however, it is not only the colonists who control the ship. The colonists themselves are being given additional power from a race known as the Iruhe. The Iruhe have never before been able to extend their power and their influence this far. The colonists are their link. If we can break the influence of the Iruhe, the colonists can also be controlled. Shielding is possible but would take a great deal of power. Find a way to disrupt the emissions, instead. What areas are currently controlled by colonists and which are still free?

As Liordra spoke, she opened the door to her quarters. There were no guards visible. The Khrein must have released them. Saren's quarters were only a few doors down from her own. She went there now and without ringing, overode the security access and entered.

[erei'Riov Saren Zareth]

After being escorted to his own quarters by the Khrein's guards, he had no choice but to sit and wait to see what would occur next. As he waited, he thought of the condition of the Riov. He couldn't believe that she had been mentally manipulated. He should have seen it, the way she was acting, but he let his attraction to her cloud his judgement. That was not reacting like a proficient officer of the Star Empire.

He went over to his monitor he had in his front room, accessing it. Using his command clearance he attempted to access Security reports and other reports that would gain him access to the ship condition and safety. He was not pleased to find that he was locked out. That, he presumed, would be the Khrein's doing.

Having nothing else to do, he decided to meditate to bring his thoughts back on track. He left his monitor and moved into the sleeping area. Sitting upon the bed, he would close his eyes and focus his thoughts.

The door to his quarters opening registered into his thoughts, barely. He presumed it would be one of the guards or the Khrein herself to come for him. His eyes opened and one question formed in his mind. He stood and moved out of the sleeping area "What is the meaning.." He started to ask, then realization set in and he saw that it is the Riov standing there, and not the Khrein or one of her guards "Riov. I was not expecting you." He said in a neutral tone, which shown on his facial expression

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

"We are not in control of our own ship, Subcommander. Are you going to meditate on the possibilties or come with me and do what must be done to take it back?

Her tone was stern but not admonishing.

"The Khrein has provided me with a mental shield. My thoughts are my own again and we must act quickly."

[erei'Riov Saren Zareth]

His expression remained neutral as she spoke, noting the stern tone in her voice. He also noted the use of 'our ship' "I am observant of that fact, Riov, or we would not be here discussing the matter." He said matter-of factly

He was unsure how to comment when she told him the Khrein had provided a mental shield so her thoughts are again her own. He simply said "daelft. I would suggest that we now re-gain control of the ship, instead of discussing it." He turned to go

[***Dhivael Action***]

All those on the Oira who were affected by the psi blast, regain consciousness.

[Arrain Vrih R'Mor]

He would reply to the Riov "The SCI Officer as assured me if he can this EEG it will be blocked, I will let him know its coming from out side the ship Ihhei"

He would then com SCI "The EEG is coming from out side the ship a race known as the Iruhe" He reports

"That is good news, searching out side the ship will be easier the EEG pattern should show faster now" SCI Reports back then starts an external scan around the ship, but keeps the internal scans running as well

[***Dhivael Action***]

After having made the appropriate adaptations, R'Mor and his team are able to locate and isolate the correct frequency. Their challenge is to retake any area of the ship in which they can then broadcast a counter-frequency to disrupt the effects of the Iruhe on the Colonists.

[Arrain Vrih R'Mor]

The scientist come in to the Dheno Office and salutes fast "I got it, I found and can isolate their frequency Sir" R'Mor looked up from his desk, he showed no emotions to what he was told "Get Ready I'll get my Teams in place, then we'll activate it"

The scientist nodded to R'Mor "Your going to take the bridge back?" he asked R'Mor had called his team, plus the fighter pilots "All will be explained attend me" he got up and headed to meet the teams, the scientist followed

Several minutes Later he stood before his team, in Rhiannsu fashion he, didn't yell or raise his voice, he split the men into teams "Alpha take Main Engineering, Beta take the computer room, My team will take the Oria" he paused for a moment

"Kayton your men will take, the Battle Oria, Secure all Science areas, as well as the fighter bay and shuttle bays" he said

He stood with his Hands behind his back "au are not to kill them, Our Rivo, our Ship, our Empire is in danger failure is not an option" all them men stood at the ready, to give their lives "Take up your positions hold for my mark"

The teams took up their positions and signaled R'mor he then tapped his com and called the science "Were in position activate it" the scientist taps a few keys then sends a signal to jam their frequency he then replied "Jammed"

He open his com to his teams "Go Now" with that they all enter their areas, disruptor's and rifles drawn

R'Mor enters the Oria "Get down on the floor now" he said as they pointed their weapons at the colonist, he runs to the leader knocking him to the floor "stay down or die"

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

When the frequency had been sent to block the Iruhe's signal, the colonists had looked at one another, momentarily confused at the lack of contact and control they had come to feel as so much a part of themselves. Now, as R'Mor and his team burst in, it was almost without thought that they complied, obeying the order given.

Liordra entered as they had just finished securing the last. They still had their own power and it was still very dangerous.

"Well done. Do not harm them. Put them in Detention and keep an active frequency in and around their cells. Monitor it closely. If there is any variation, I want to know immediately. The Iruhe will not give up on their 'prey' easily. I have received notification that a Tal Shiar vessel is on it's way to take charge of the colonists." Which is as it should have been from the beginning, she thought. Either they did not recognize the degree of the threat or they may have been blinded to it. Liordra thought it was most likely the latter. Somehow, the colonists had made them choose a different transport, one they could more easily manipulate.

"Subcommander Zareth will take command. I will be accompanying the colonists when they leave." They should have taken her command but instead had ordered her back to ch'Rihan for training. There was a note of regret in her voice. Command had not been taken from her formally but she knew she had lost the ship.

She moved to the center seat and sat in the command chair. Perhaps for the last time, she thought. "The Ekhesai will be here within an hour." Mercy. She had smiled at the ship's name. Some believed the Tal Shiar were incapable of it. At times however, in order to be merciful, one must never show it.

[Arrain Terrh Sahen]

He remained on the floor, next to his station, unconscious. His mind recovered from the Psi attack that had occured but his physical wounds were more difficult to recover from. The disruptor blast to his leg, the kick to his knee while he was attempting to get up, which dislocated his knee, then finally the ankle stomp, which caused a sprain to occur

[erei'Riov Saren Zareth]

He followed the Riov onto the Oria, looking around as the dheno secured the colonists for what seemed to be the second or third time. The colonists had been more formidable and clever then orginally thought. They even took over the Riov's mind, which he is still unhappy about.

He listened as the Riov gave instructions to the Dheno, even as he noticed the Gonai'saehne still laying upon the floor, with a gruesome wound to his leg, a close range disruptor blast, if he is not mistaken

He inwardly groaned when the Riov mentioned that there would be another Tal Shiar vessel to come and deal with the Colonists. That is something they didn't need, more Tal shiar agents sticking their noses in ship's affairs

He turned toward the Riov as she was sitting in the center seat, surprise in his voice as he asked "You are leaving?" Disappoinment also registering within him. He didn't want to see her go, which he would take command with her departure

She seemed to confirm this when she informed them of the Ekhesai's arrival in an hour

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

There was a multitude of meaning in Zareth's question. Her announcement had taken him by surprise, though it ought not to have.

"I must. I am a danger to myself and to others if I remain. My time in the Nexus made me particularly vulnerable to psionic exploitation. I must, at least, learn how to shield and defend myself. Would you ever be able to trust my decisions otherwise? How could you or I be certain I would not unknowingly act again under the influence of another mind?"