S01 E02: The Kettirohm Sovereignty: The Fugitive

 

 

S01 E02: The Kettirohm Sovereignty: The Fugitive

 

After the Bajdon--the citizens of the Kettirohm Sovereignty--had left their native Bajor over two thousand years ago and settled in a new part of space, they slowly started colonizing the neighboring planets. After they had sparsely spread out over ten planets in one star system, they explored a little of the surrounding space and found it void of habitable planets. So they lost interest in traveling any farther. They sometimes intercepted news feeds from other worlds, but treated the lives of outsiders more as stories than events they cared about. There had been twenty-five thousand in that initial group that left Bajor, and after two thousand years, they had grown to a population of a little over five hundred seventy hundred fifty thousand people. The majority of the people were on eight planets. The other two planets had been annexed for the use of their resources, and were populated by just enough people to take care of mining and farming. Kettian society was mostly peaceful, but with over seven hundred fifty thousand people, there was bound to be at least some criminal activity and some dissidents; enough to warrant a police force and a justice system.

The ruling monarchs of Kettirohm were another race known as the Relamqu. They were originally members of a race known as the Q. They willingly left the Q to become humanoid. The ones who are Relamqu but are not in the direct line of the Kettian ruling family live and work peacefully alongside the Bajdon. Though there are many physiological differences, the only outward physical difference between the two races is that the Bajdon have ridges on the upper part of their noses, and the Relamqu do not.

 The constitutional monarchy has worked well for the Kettians--both the Bajdon and the Relamqu. Only in the last decade or so have both races become restless. In an attempt to refresh Kettirohm society, the monarchs opened up the Kettian worlds to outsiders. Now, in the last few months, in order to breathe new life into a stale Kettian society, the monarchs have asked the United Federation of Planets for help in expanding their culture and society.

 

               Tirinor Karese looked across her desk at Rayla. Karese started to wonder what she had gotten herself into. She knew the United Federation of Planets was a vast “empire” and that dealing with them would involve constant bouts of give and take, but there was no way she could have known just how much. And the fact that the Federation had sent her Rayla Retaci, an El-Aurian envoy, didn’t help. Karese was Relamqu, a race of no-longer-immortal-Q, so being in the same room with an El-Aurian was about the only thing that could unnerve her. Karese took another sip of coffee as she watched the brown-haired, blue-eyed El-Aurian mark off another item on her pad. Rayla looked up from her pad and said, “Starfleet is sending a team of engineers to help upgrade your ships for long range exploration. They will also start helping your people build new ships and educate your engineers on some of our technology. That’s the long term plan. We’ll start with upgrading one of your freighter ships.”        

               “We have the KSV Jarek in space dock, ready for upgrade,” Karese replied. The Jarek was one of the Kettirohm Sovereignty’s oldest and largest freighter ships.

The Federation science conference that had just been held on Phaleon, the main fourth planet of the Kettian star system and the planet for which Karese was the leader, had gone relatively well. Most of the Bajdon had gotten along with the Federation people and other non-Federation visitors. Now, Karese and Rayla were on to executing the next plan for Kettirohm: the Kettirohm Exploration Division. Lor’Kael Jazen Tono, the supreme monarch, and Karese’s eldest brother, had given her complete discretion when working with Federation Envoy Rayla Retaci. The Lor'Kael would rather have Karese deal with them so he could attend to internal matters of state. Lucky me, Karese thought rather sarcastically. Or maybe not sarcastically. She wasn't sure. Her husband Daiel, the Tirinor of the Baeruta system, had recently dealt with a female liberated Borg who had immigrated to his system, along with a covert Romulan plan to kidnap the ex-Borg. The plan was thwarted, and all was well for now, but Karese and Daiel and the other Tirinors saw it as a sign of other challenges to come.

Rayla had suggested the new division of exploration as a channel of mutual cooperation with the Federation and as a way for both sides to get acquainted as they worked together. All Kettian ships would be part of the new division. Kettian space ships up to this point were mostly freighter ships to go between their ten planets.  

               “And when we start exploring new space,” the Tirinor said, “If we discover new planets with valuable resources, does Starfleet plan to swoop in and lay claim, or will you graciously let us keep them?” Tirinor Karese knew there was much unexplored space around Kettirohm, and she suspected that the reason the exploration division was suggested was to expand the mighty Federation’s territory.

               “Your Highness,” said Rayla, addressing the Tirinor by her proper title, “We are not here to take from you. You will keep your own territory. And you may annex whatever unclaimed space that you explore; keeping in mind that it must be unclaimed, as there may be planets with intelligent life that will want to keep their own sovereignty. We will also have to educate your ship’s crews on things like first contact protocol and the Prime Directive.”

               The Kettians were not joining the Federation at this time. Who knew if they ever would? They were working through an alliance in which Kettirohm would open their borders after two millennia of isolationism. The Federation was there to help them adjust and expand.

Just then, Karese got a call from her assistant. “Yes, Bepra?”

“Your Highness, I’ve a call for you from Starfleet security. They said it is urgent.”

What other kind of call is there? Thought Karese. The Tirinor looked at Rayla, who seemed utterly surprised. “Put it through.”

On Karese’s screen, she saw a gray-haired human male in a Starfleet uniform. He said, “This is Admiral Banton. Greegings, Your Highness. Is our envoy Rayla there?”

Rayla rose from her chair and moved toward Karese’s desk. Karese turned her monitor so the Admiral could see both of them. “I’m here, Admiral,” Rayla said.

“Good,” said Banton. “I’m afraid I have some startling news. A Federation prisoner, a Xindi, has escaped, and we believe he is already on Phaleon. He stowed away aboard a passenger liner that was headed there. It is not known if he is armed. But he was convicted of murder. He is considered extremely dangerous.”

Karese said, “How long ago did the passenger liner land here?”

“About two of your hours ago.”

“So it has already left. If he disembarked, he shouldn’t have been able to get past our security without a pass.”

“I’m just asking you to be on the lookout. If he is there, he needs to be found and returned to us. I’m sending security field agents there to help apprehend him. They should arrive in two hours.”

“You don’t need to do that. I will have my own security team search for him. If he’s here, we will find him and return him to you.”

“You can do that, but I’m still sending my own. This is a matter of utmost importance to Starfleet.”

Karese looked at Rayla. Rayla told Banton, “Understood.”

“Admiral, please send us the records you have on this criminal and how he escaped; it will aid in our search,” Karese demanded.

“Of course. It’s being sent to you now.”

Admiral Banton ended the transmission.

“So this,” Karese said dryly, “Is what we get for saying we would welcome outsiders.”

Rayla started to say that this was an isolated incident, but she held her tongue. It just so happened that isolated incidents happened all the time. Instead, she said, “I’m sure he will be found.”

“He most certainly will.” Karese saw the data from Banton coming through to her console. She called her assistant and told her to put in a call to Police Chief Pineas Mita. A few seconds later, the assistant told Karese that the lead Starfleet engineer for the exploration division had arrived and was waiting outside her office to see her. Just another day in the busy life of a leader, Karese sighed as she told the assistant to send in the engineer.

               “I’m Commander Karnoldi. Would you mind telling me why I had to wait fifteen minutes before you would see me?” said the Starfleet officer as he walked into the Tirinor’s office. Karese recognized his species as Zakdorn. She had studied the records of all species known to the Federation, at least the ones they made public. She knew the Zakdorns were known for being strong-willed, opinionated, and outspoken. Well, she thought to herself, I’ll just have to out-Zakdorn him. She had grown up a member of the royal family and, by design, had always been treated with respect. She was certainly in for new challenges. Karese introduced herself to the engineer. Then Rayla introduced herself to the engineer. Karese told them they could go to the conference room down the hall to start planning their work on refitting a ship. She had some immediate business with the police chief. Karnoldi didn’t like being dismissed so suddenly. Rayla diplomatically asked the engineer to walk with her to the conference room, as she knew exactly what urgent business Karese had, and it couldn’t wait. Thank the stars for a few favors, Karese thought to herself.

***

The artisan gem cutters held their cutting lighters and ignited them carefully, all at once. The huge gey-iturn gemstone stood before them like a giant green eyeball that was two meters tall and four meters across at the widest point. The gem cutters’ adept hands started burning away pieces of the gemstone, each one creating their own piece of art. There were people gathered around to watch. Some were eating jumja sticks. Some were just enjoying the time out with their families. There were kids running around, playing, or taunting their siblings. Suddenly, an alien grabbed one of the gem cutters. The alien held a gun to the gem cutter. The cutter was so startled that she dropped her cutting lighter. The alien was portly, with hair on his hands and all over his face. The alien started yelling, “I need to speak to the person in charge. Now! Or I will kill this one!”It only took two seconds for the police to point their own phase pistols at the alien. The police were always patrolling large events like this. Didn’t the alien know that? The police ordered the alien to drop his weapon. He complied.

***

Commander Karnoldi anxiously sat at the table. He would like to get started on his work, but these meetings had to take place first. He thought these meetings were nothing more than an excuse for others to tell him how to do his job. He had just met with Rayla after being thrown out of Tirinor Karese's office. Rayla just took thirty minutes to tell him to do his job and not mess it up. Oh, and to be nice to these people. Karnoldi just hoped that one of those things didn’t interfere with another. Then, when Karese was finally ready to meet with him, she said the same thing. Do it, she had basically said. Do it fast and do it well. Oh, and don’t cause an interstellar incident. What does she think I am? He thought. I’m an Zakdorn engineer, not a Klingon Chancellor. So now he sat at a table with Asohd Rogir--a Bajdon engineer--and Supervisor Yeta Possura--the Bajdon head of the Kettirohm Exploration Division.

Karnoldi said, “I have a team of fifty people; all ready to get started.”

“Good,” Asohd said. The Bajdon male appeared to be middle-aged and very spry. “The KSV Jarek is ready.”

Supervisor Yeta said, “You both can start tomorrow.”

The Zakdorn noticed the ridges on Yeta’s nose seemed to cutely twitch when she talked. He sweetly said, “Hmmm. Hmmm. Excellent.”

Asohd asked Yeta, “Are we going to see a lot of YOU during this project?”

She answered, “While you are working on the Jarek, I’ll be working on the next phase of development for the division. I’ll be interviewing candidates to be the ship’s crew. We have both military and civilian applicants. There are far more volunteers than we ever dreamed.” Both she and Rogir knew how popular this was among their people. It was the biggest thing that had ever happened to them in their lifetime.

***

Police Chief Pineas Mita looked across the interrogation table at the Xindi arboreal escaped prisoner. Pineas knew the Xindi race had launched an attack on earth some two hundred years ago. But now, they were members of the Federation.

 This one had been very bold to disrupt a gem cutting festival. There were hundreds of witnesses who saw him threaten the female. He had had a peculiar device hidden on his person. Pineas' team determined that it was some kind of personal cloaking unit, the likes of which no one had ever seen before. He had used it to cloak himself and steal a phaser right off the side of a policeman. Chonin, the Xindi arboreal, looked at Pineas steadily with his deep brown eyes and said, “I request asylum.”

“Asylum?” Pineas almost laughed at him. “You think we would give asylum to a murderer?”

“But I didn’t do it.”

This time, Pineas couldn’t help but smile. “I’ve been doing this a long time. ‘I didn’t do it’ is what they all say.”

She had reviewed Chonin’s records from Starfleet. Chonin was a Federation scientist on Efrosia VIII. He was accused of murdering his project manager, a Bolian named Creyak. They both had been working late one night, and Creyak just happened to end up with a knife in his back. Chonin was the one who had reported finding Creyak, after supposedly having left the room for only a few minutes. Chonin was not a suspect at first. There were no fingerprints on the knife. But a later investigation revealed that Chonin’s DNA was on the knife, and he and Creyak had been the only ones who had entered or left the building for the previous twelve hours before the incident. And everyone else on their team said the two were often arguing over one thing or another. And the report stated that Chonin had reported the murder himself to deflect the blame. Pineas could only conclude that the Efrosians had done their best with the investigation on very little evidence.

“I am a scientist,” Chonin told Pineas. “I was working on a way to make EPS filaments out of ilirimon. It would make faster conductors than what Starfleet uses now.”

“Ah. And ilirimon is one of our chief materials.”

“Right. Preliminary simulations showed that it might work better on your ships than Starfleet ships because of overall design symmetry--rectangular shape, no saucer section, shorter nacelles. I can trade my work for my asylum.”

“Frohhn!!” said Pineas. “That’s quite a bribe!”

“It’s not a bribe. I am offering you my services!” Chonin continued his plea for help. “I thought Kettirohm was a home for the lost. Two races live here. Both of those races left their homes. I am asking you to take me in, as you took each other in. Give me refuge, as you gave each other refuge.” He certainly makes a compelling argument, Pineas thought. But then so do all when they are desperate.

She asked him where he had obtained that personal cloaking unit. He said he stole it from one of the other prisoners who had smuggled it in with the help of a bribed prison guard. The unit was also what had enabled him to stow away on a passenger liner and come to Phaleon.

She questioned him for a few more minutes, then ordered him to be put in a cell until she could figure out what to do with him.

***

This was no ordinary Federation security officer. The Federation believed in violence only for defense. This man, Tolada’tek, looked as though he would kill on sight if given the opportunity. When asked to sit, Tolada'tek preferred to remain standing. Well, of course he did. He looked at Tirinor Karese sitting behind her desk. She said to Envoy Rayla, who was seated in front of Karese’s desk, “Was it really necessary to send a Jem’Hadar to catch this Xindi?”

“Ask Starfleet. I think it’s overkill too. But the Xindi WAS charged with murder. That makes him a danger.”

               The Jem’Hadar were the soldiers of the Dominion, bred to be the perfect killers and totally loyal to the Dominion. Tolada’tek was one of the few who was not dependent on katracel white, the drug that most Jem’Hadar needed to survive. Tolada’tek had been captured during the Dominion War and reprogrammed by Starfleet Intelligence to be loyal to Starfleet and the Federation. He was SI’s first experiment of this kind during the war, at least, that’s what was on the data records that were sent to Envoy Rayla before his arrival today. SI didn’t have time to finish his programming during the war. But now, here he is, with a one track mind that was set on getting his prey. Like a bounty hunter.

“You will hand the Xindi over to me,” Tolada’tek demanded.

“I was told you have him in custody. Where is he?” said Lt. Elijah Carver, a human, with Starfleet security. He was Tolada’tek’s “handler”, as much as anyone could handle a Jem’Hadar. “We are holding him in prison until we can investigate his story. You know he asked us for asylum,” Karese answered.

“He is our prisoner,” said the Jem’Hadar. “You have been ordered by Starfleet to give him to me.”

Karese said boldly, “I give the orders here. And you have no jurisdiction here. Give us twelve hours to investigate his story. If we find nothing, we will give him to you.”

Carver reluctantly conceded. “Twelve hours. No more.”

***

Police Chief Pineas was still thinking about the Xindi fugitive. Could he really be innocent? But right now, she had to see to the arrival of the Orb of Empathy. It was the one and only Orb that had come with them when they left Bajor. The Orb had given them all a vision and transported them to the Kettirohm system. The Bajdon no longer “worshiped” the prophets, but the Orb was still revered to them. The Orb had been in the Temple of Womte for the last hundred years. A few people visited and had Orb experiences. Yes, the Prophets still spoke to them, even after they left their home world. Over time, the Orb experiences had been thought of as too vague to be of value, so fewer and fewer people came. Furthermore, the Bajdon had always been at peace, so they did not need the Orbs for solace as the Bajorans did. The Kettians had kept up with Federation news reports. The so-called “Temple of the Prophets” had been found; Starfleet called it a wormhole. The Bajdon found the news to be shocking and amusing at the same time. They had left their ancient ways of having so much faith in the Prophets, and yet, they still had a level of reverence toward the Prophets as beings more knowledgeable than they themselves. There would be visitors just to see the Orb of Empathy because it was a relic from the past; as if it were a museum piece. Even the temple itself was largely used as a place of contemplation at best, at worst-- to be admired and nothing more. The city decided it was time to do some much needed renovations on the temple, so the Orb would be brought here, to the precinct, for safe keeping until such time that the renovations were done.

Pineas received the signal that the Orb carrier had arrived. She left her office and went outside the building. The driver opened up the back of the transport. The two stewards picked up the ark containing the Orb, carrying it the respected way--on a platform with a pole on either side. Pineas walked behind them as the other guards walked in front and to the side. As they were transporting the Orb to the building, one of the stewards tripped on a pothole. The Orb ark fell to the ground and crashed open. “Frohhn!!” muttered one of the guards. The Orb started glowing. Pineas looked into the Orb. “By the Prophets…,” she said as her face went blank.

Pineas saw Chonin. But it wasn't him. This Chonin looked serene, not exasperated like the one she had questioned. The image of Chonin said, "Know his heart." Pineas looked at him and said, "I don't understand." Then an image of Tirinor Karese stood before her and said, "He is here. Know his heart." Then Pineas saw a man lying face down with a knife in his back. The man was bald with a blue head. She saw the knife transform into a coin. I wasn't a coin from any currency she recognized. Then the blue-headed man turned his head and spoke to her, "Another one was there. Have empathy." Then, all the images faded. Pineas saw that the Orb had been put back inside its ark by the stewards and was once again on the carrying platform.

***

Asohd Rogir and Yeta Possura were in Erojat’s Spa, one of the many establishments in the Statehouse building. The Statehouse was where Tirinor Karese’s office was located, and where all the highest of government business for Phaleon was conducted. Many government officials came to Erojat’s Spa to relax. Asohd Rogir was happy that Yeta Possura had agreed to this date with him. They were both being fitted for new earrings. Some of the Bajdon had kept the old Bajoran custom of wearing earrings. While the Bajorans used it to show they worshipped the Prophets, the Bajdon did it mostly as a fashion statement. Bajdon felt that earrings needed to fit perfectly, from the curves of the tops of their ears to their earlobes. And the chain between the two pieces had to be just the right length. The Bajdon didn't just casually attach a piece of jewelry to their ears. Plus, Bajdon earrings were embedded with a stone that represented the wearer's month of birth. Rogir and Possura sat in chairs next to each other and carried on a conversation as the stylists worked on fitting them. “So, Possura, how did you become head of the exploration project?” Rogir asked Possura, addressing her in the familiar--by her given name, not her family name. She replied, “Well, really I just applied for it and got it. Oh, there were over a hundred applicants. I interviewed with both Tirinor Karese and Envoy Rayla. Some of the requirements were experience with ships, diplomacy with other Kettian planets, and leadership. Plus, I think they liked my  personality. I can be firm yet approachable.”

“Yes, you certainly can,” Rogir said, making her blush. “So…,” he continued, “ 'Experience with ships' you said? Are you an engineer too?”

“I was a ship designer. I was on the team that designed the Evegim class ships.”

Just then, Karnoldi walked up beside Possura. “Oh my,” he said sarcastically, “Am I missing another meeting? Hhhmm. Mmmm. I hope I’m not late.”

Tirinor Karese stepped up beside Karnoldi and said, “Let's leave these two alone, Karnoldi, while they get their fittings.”

“Your Highness,” said Rogir. “I didn’t know you were here.”

Karese had brought the Zakdorn because he had asked to see some of the unique establishments in the Statehouse. Karese had decided to escort him herself, as a show of good will. Had he known Rogir and Possura would be here? “Did you know,” said Karnoldi, clearly speaking to Possura, “That my people were instrumental in ending the Prubet-Kuev war?”

“Why no, no I didn’t,” answered Possura. She did know that the Zakdorns were known for being excellent military strategists.

“Yes. And it all came down to a piece of art.”

“Art. Like a painting?”

“Yes, exactly. You see the Kuevs had--”

“Did you know I collect paintings?” Rogir said, butting in.

“Why no, no I didn’t,” answered Possura.

Rogir continued, “I have some of the finest paintings in Bajdon history. Done by all the masters.”

As Karnoldi started to butt in, Karese made it clear that this was an inappropriate time for him to try to charm Possura. She said, “Karnoldi, let’s go. These two are paying for a service, and we shouldn't interrupt them.” Coming from the Tirinor, it was not a request. But Karnoldi wasn’t one of her subjects. He tried to protest. She glared at him and spoke firmly again, “Starfleet or not, you need to leave this establishment. You have no right to come here and disrupt a social meeting. If you don’t leave now, I will have you forcibly removed.”

Karnoldi tilted his head to the left and then to the right. He made his usual Zakdorn “Hmmm” sound. Then he walked out. Karese said to Rogir and Possura, “Enjoy the rest of your night.” They graciously said, “Thank you.” And Karese left. But Possura, being the gentle soul that she was, told Rogir she wanted to go after Karnoldi and see if he was okay. Rogir didn’t see the point, but she insisted and walked out. Rogir decided to follow her. Both of them had left with one ear still covered with styling foam.

***

“You had an Orb experience?” said Tirinor Karese. “Yes, Your Highness,” answered Pineas. Karese’s race was incapable of having an Orb experience. It was impossible for any outside psyonic energy to enter their minds. It was something the Q thought necessary, as these Relamqu would still have remnants of the vast knowledge the Q had about life, the universe, and everything. And they just couldn't let other races have psionic access to that knowledge. Though, over time, and after a few generations, the Relamqu's mortal minds had lost some of that omniscience.

“And what did the Prophets tell you?” The Tirinor was genuinely curious, and a little bit envious.

“I saw the Xindi man, Chonin. Your Highness, the Efrosian investigator’s report said there was a Bolian coin found on the floor. There was a picture of it with the report. It had a flaw in the edge, as if a tiny piece had been clipped out. The Efrosians didn’t think it was a clue because it was a common coin to them and several of the scientists were Bolians, and any of them could have dropped it. But the coin was left by the murderer. There’s a little known planet in the Orion sector, Lekchoros, which is near Efrosia. It has several gangs that the authorities have trouble controlling. There is a part of the gang initiation: you kill someone and then leave a clipped coin. And some of the gangs have an illegal device that can apply or remove any DNA evidence. And they had become experts of removing evidence of their presence at crime scenes. I found the data in the Federation database, but I had to search for it. It wasn't easy; it’s not in their news feeds.”

“And you saw all of this in your Orb experience? That’s quite a vision.” Karese’s race understood the Prophets and the Orbs much better than any humanoid race ever could. The “Prophets”, or “wormhole aliens” if you will, existed on a different celestial plane that was still considered primitive to the Q, but was far too complex for a humanoid to ever understand. And the Bajorans, Cardassians, and Federation scientists had studied the Orbs and never truly figured out how they worked. The Q--and the Relamqu--knew all about the energy, the structure, the ethereal nuances, and all the science behind the mystery, but could never explain it to ones with such puny minds as these physical beings had.

“It was all there, Your Highness. I didn’t understand at first, but I was able to figure it out from the picture of the coin and the database.”

“And did you learn how someone from the Orion sector got to Efrosia VIII? Or why they would go there to kill someone for a gang initiation?” Pineas looked desperate. She really believed the Xindi was innocent. “You must believe me, Tirinor. I can feel it. We’re talking about a man’s life here.”

Karese had learned to trust the people working for her. She called her assistant and told her to patch her through to Starfleet Command. She would let them know about the coin and let them investigate on their end.

***

Chonin was being escorted by the guards back to the interrogation room. He was told Pineas needed to have another word with him. He knew it. He was being returned to a Federation prison. No one would ever believe his innocence. He pushed his guards and tried to run away. He started climbing up a ladder that had been left by maintenance. Arboreals were fast climbers. He made it to the top of the ladder and opened a hatch. He climbed up through the hatch. He saw a large brown box about two meters high. He picked up the box, having no idea what was in it. The guards entered from the hatch and more guards entered through a door. They pointed their phasers at him. He stood there with the box. “Let me go!” He cried out. “Or I’ll destroy this!” The box looked as though it had already been smashed once, but he was desperate. One of the guards said, “We won’t hurt you, Chonin. Just put it down.”

“No. I don’t belong here. Don’t you see? I don’t belong here!”

Then there was another voice from behind him. “Come with me.”

Chonin turned around. It was a Jem’Hadar with a phaser. Next to him was a human Starfleet officer, also pointing a phaser at him. The human said, “Surrender to us, and we won’t harm you.” Chonin wanted to run, but there was nowhere to run, or climb, this time. The Jem’Hadar shot him. He fell back and dropped the box. He was unconscious. “What have you done?! Did you kill him?” Lt. Carver yelled. “He is only stunned,” said Tolada’tek. Lt. Carver bent over to put restraints on his prisoner. Then Tolada’tek would carry him back to their ship. One of the guards picked up the Orb that had fallen out of the box. This time it was inert. The Orb ark had been shattered. He asked for a blanket to wrap up the Orb, as a sign of respect, until another ark could be built.

Just then, Tirinor Karese entered. “Stop!” she told Carver and Tolada’tek.

Carver insisted, “We are taking him back to a Federation prison.”

“We have found new evidence,” Karese said. She explained to them. She had already informed Starfleet Command. The two security officers would be receiving new orders shortly. They would still take him back to prison, but in light of new evidence, he would have a new trial and hopefully be acquitted.

***

“So now that you know Chonin is innocent, are you going to take him up on his offer to use his ilirimon filaments?” Rayla said to Karese. Starfleet had confirmed Pineas’s findings about the gang member initiation, and would continue to investigate. “I don’t think so,” Karese answered Rayla. “We’ll upgrade our ships Starfleet’s way for now. I don’t think we’re ready for anything radical.” They both laughed. “Besides, I am sure he would rather go back home to his family, now that that is possible,” Karese answered Rayla.

"And what about that cloaking unit he had?"

"Starfleet will pick it up when they come for him. I'm sure they will investigate its origins. It's most surely a black market item."

Then Karese got another call from her assistant letting her know that Supervisor Yeta Possura was there, as ordered. Yeta entered the office. “Hello, Your Highness. Envoy Rayla.” The Tirinor told her to have a seat. Karese, as with all the royal family, tried to be casual at times with her subjects. She never required any bowing in her presence. Such pretenses were archaic and brutish. The Relamqu also preferred an office to a throne room.

They discussed how the upgrade of the Jarek was going. Yeta said everything looked good. And she was still interviewing candidates for the ship’s crew. The new exploration program was off to a promising start. Rayla and Karese were both happy to hear it.

“And,” Karese said to Yeta, “I hear you have a romantic interest in the lead Starfleet engineer.”

Yeta looked embarrassed.

“After that scene in Erojat’s, I guess something about him really impressed you.” Karese really didn’t care who her subjects were romantically interested in. She just thought she would have some fun teasing Yeta. Karese continued, “And a Zakdorn. That’s amazing. They’re some of the hardest people in the galaxy to get along with.”

Rayla jumped in, “It’s true. Zakdorns are usually considered too arrogant for anyone but their own kind. And I thought Asohd Rogir liked you.”

Yeta looked at both of them. She could tell they were teasing. She was still embarrassed. But she did like Karnoldi. She said shyly, “Rogir does like me. And he's nice, but I think Karnoldi’s adorable. He’s like a bald teddy bear. And his talk about art and engineering and military history. It’s all so fascinating. I never knew meeting someone from off world could be so exciting.”

“I’ll have to report this to Starfleet, you know,” said Rayla, sheepishly.

Yeta looked at her, mouth agape.

Rayla and Karese just looked at her and laughed.

Well, Rayla seems more and more likeable every day, Karese thought.

 

               To Lor'Kael Jazen from Tirinor Karese. Status Report. QDate 200.013.045. The Kettirohm Exploration Division is showing promise. We are in the process of getting the first ship ready for exploration. The El-Aurian from the Federation, Rayla Retaci, has been most amenable to working with me and the other Kettians. She seems to have a genuine interest in our cause. Dear brother, is it possible that the Q have been wrong about the El-Aurians? Or perhaps it is because we are different from the Q. This humanoid form we have taken is, of course, advantageous when dealing with other mortals.

               The Xindi--Chonin--was a convicted criminal who came to Phaleon by stowing away on a passenger liner. At first, that made me question whether or not I really wanted our sovereignty to be open to outworlders. But then, it was determined that Chonin was indeed innocent of the crime he had been accused of. That made me realize how being open to outworlders can allow us to help them in ways others cannot. I look forward to being of service to not only the people we have served for generations for over two thousand years, but to all the new ones who come here seeking a fresh start.

 

 -by the Honorable Kavura

 

Thank you for reading my Star Trek Adventures: Captain’s Log mission report. Captain’s Log is a solo roleplaying game by Modiphius Entertainment.