Chapter III: Reunited

"With respect, captain, as a precaution for whom? You've been very honorable in our dealings, but if you are keeping us here in case you need more help to put down the mutiny, I'm not willing to be used in that way. My primary duty is to the safety of my crew and ship. I'm willing to help you out, but let's discuss what that will look like."

Cass grits her teeth. It's true, no good deed goes unpunished. "Fine. If you actually think I risked everything to try to forge a peace process with a race that has done nothing but try to destroy me and those I care about, only to turn on you now, go ahead. But those shields had better come down, and quickly."

When they're gone, Cass turns to the crew and starts giving orders. "Yang, use whatever's on hand to truss up our friendly neighborhood parasite there. I don't want any more trouble from that one until we can get Zephyr to the Potential.

"Kendall, assess all the weapons we have and anything we could use for a tactical advantage if we wind up trapped in here and under attack again. I'd like to have a game plan to last as long as possible until we can get those shields down."

Cass speaks into her comm badge. "Darcy, I assume you got all of that, since I told you to stand by. We have survived a surprise rebellion against the captain of the Four and are now waiting for him to take control of the bridge and let the shields down. I expect everything to go according to plan... just not any plan made by us, so we may need you to help take down those shields. But we'll give the captain a chance to get the job done first.

"In the meantime, maintain a lock on all of us in this location. We're planning to transport Lt. Comm. Borealis with the rest of us, so we'll need to be beamed directly to the temporary sickbay. He's going to need emergency surgery the instant he gets there."

Cass approaches Alex. "I know that it doesn't really help to know that you had no choice - I've been where you are now - but it's true, anyway." She holds out her hand. "Would you like me to take that phaser? You can have one of the tranq rifles instead."

Potential

Moira is pleased with the work in engineering - that everyone else is doing. Belka’s great, but there’s only so much she can do with her arm wrapped up like this. She lets out a disgruntled huff and puts her tools back. Giving a knowing nod to Davis, she comms the bridge.

Moira ta Darcy. Ah’m takin’ a walk. Davis knows tha situation an’ he can beam me back ta engineerin’ in a jiffy if needed.

She makes her way to the temporary medbay. A small voice in her head suggests talking to Belka, but that will have to wait. It’s not actually a medbay, after all, and they may need help. Moving cores is hard with one good shoulder, but coding and small adjustments are certainly doable.

She sees Dr. Lorq arriving about as she does.

Ah. Doctor. Good ta see yeh. Welcome ta tha Potential, though Ah’m sure plenty a folk have said that. But! Ah wanted ta introduce mahself properly. Yeh know. Without tha blood an’ slugs an’ screamin’.

She smirks and holds out her hand.

Lieutenant Commander Moira Bruce, USS Potential, Engineerin’. Anythin’ ah can help yeh with?

Reporting for duty.

"I’m fine," Alex replies flatly. "It’s hardly my fault he would listen."

She turns to Cass, face still more or less expressionless. "But I’ve had about enough of these people to last two lifetimes. When do we go back to the Potential?" she asks, even though she should have heard everything that was said.

Cass pauses, then says, "Soon. We're waiting for the captain to bring down the shields. As soon as that happens, we all go home."

She puts a hand on the phaser Alex is still holding, pushing it toward the floor and away from anyone. "In the meantime, I'll take this." It's clearly not a request, but her tone isn't harsh, just matter-of-fact.

"Fine by me. I never — almost never," Alex says with a short, sharp laugh, "hit anything with these."

Cass takes the phaser. She checks the setting and doesn't bother to change it from "vaporize." Giving Alex a pat on the shoulder, Cass moves to stand next to Marbo. "Check out Alex as soon as you can. I think she's in shock."

Alex does nothing of the sort, simply stares back at Marbo blandly and says, "Doctor or not, you poke me with that thing and you’ll be breathing through a new hole."

Marbo points to the collar apparatus he dropped on the floor moments ago.

" Marbo already breathes through a new hole. Marbo recommends you comply with the treatment, it is for your own good."

Lorq to bridge. I would like to initiate a safety protocol and run all crew through the transporter. Verify we have no hitchhikers.

Potential, with Lorq

Moira watches the strange man.

Nice ta meet yoo too.... Poor man must be in shock.

She looks around the room momentarily, talking to Lorq, but not expecting him to hear her.

Unless tha sluggie’s been stationary, tha biofilters shoulda caught ‘em. Are yeh all right, Doctor? Have yeh checked in with Dr. Belka?