Chapter III: Reunited

Maybe she's finally cracked. Felt guilty fer Marbo? Tried ta punish herself?

Yeh haven't taken any classes yet, RC....yeh cannae counsel yet....

Er blaze. Maybe she's a slug. Ah dunno. But either way, ah'm glad ah'm not tha only one gettin weird vibes.

Cass stops walking, nodding to a couple of crew members as they walk by, and stands with her hands on her hips, looking at the floor. "Okay, so what did you have in mind to figure out what's going on with her?"

In the medbay

Alex has been quiet since the return to the ship. While she lacks outward injury, it would seem she’s still got a lot to think about. However, she doesn’t seem angry. Not at Marbo for shooting her with even a reduced dose of tranquilizer. Not Zephyr for whatever transgressions he’s made recently. She’s just quiet. Even when medical personnel suggest she could rest in her own bed, rather than remaining in her silent vigil beside Zephyr, she merely glares. A glare that might disintegrate as effectively as a phaser.

Her? Ah'm not sure. This ship needs a feckin' counselor. Ah'm talking ta Marbo about it. But ah've got this bad feelin' about talking ta her directly right now. Like deja vu. Or a weird gut feeling that it won't go how we expect.

Moira shakes her head like a wet dog.

But anyway, if yeh want, ah can transport tha entire crew up an' back. Filter everyone. Send an announcement aboot watchin fer sudden pass-outs. What do yeh think?

Cass also has a strange premonition-like feeling that crawls up her spine momentarily. She shakes it off. "Yeah, go ahead and do that as soon as possible. We need to be sure we're not carrying any bodily stowaways. Let me know if that turns up any unhealthy crew members."

She leaves Moira to her task and checks in with Darcy on the bridge before going to the ready room. One thing she certainly doesn't do is question why she didn't look in on Zephyr personally after the surgery was complete. It certainly wasn't because she's afraid of the accusation she is sure will be in his eyes when he wakes up.

Settling into the chair behind the desk, she re-establishes communications with the engineer from the Four, still waiting in the shuttle outside the Potential. "I've spoken with our chief engineer, and she's concerned about both your math and the purpose of this project. I know you cautioned us that the math was rough, but I'm more confused about exactly what you're trying to do, and why. So I'd appreciate a full explanation before this proceeds any further."

Moira casually sends a comm over the ship.

Ladies, Gentlemen, an' nonhuman liaisons, this is Lieutenant Commander Bruce speakin'. Please set down what'cher doin' fer a brief moment. According ta Spacefleet Protocol BS42, we're just gonna run a quick trip through tha transporters ta scrub everyone through tha biofilters. No concerns, just followin' protocol. Though if anyone's snoggin' right now, maybe stop fer a second just in case.

There isn't a protocol for this, but better not to worry anyone. One region of the ship at a time, she transports all life forms out and back to their original spot.

Lieutenant Commander Bruce again. Thank yeh all fer yer cooperation. We're good ta go. If anyone's writhin' on tha floor, please comm me 'r Doctor Zlam. Bruce out!

Lorq goes to the communicator.
Captain, will this protocol be enacted on our other ship?

Cass throws her head back against the back of the chair and rolls her eyes in silent frustration for a moment before replying. "Well, admittedly I'm not a trained diplomat, but my understanding is that it's a process of compromise and trade-offs. Currently, the fact that our transporters filter out your symbiotes is our only defense against your people boarding and taking over our ships. So in this instance, the technology that makes your lives easier would do so by making it easier to kill and enslave my people. You see the problem here, yes?"

"Possibly. I will ask her to at least do some theoretical work. But as I said, diplomacy is about compromise and trade-offs. What are you and your captain offering us in return for what you're requesting? And please don't say returning my crewman to us, because we already paid for that by helping overcome your rebellion in the medbay and by eliminating the symbiote responsible... with our transporter."

Cass goes very still and her jaw locks for a moment. In an even, measured tone, she says, "Are you saying that you have my remaining crew members aboard the Four right now?"

"To clarify, you are suggesting that we accompany you to your home base to meet your queen and recover our lost crew members, in return for restoring to you eleven of your people killed by our transporters. Do I have that correctly stated?"

"Thank you. I will take it under advisement and discuss the matter further with your captain. I suggest that you return to your ship now. I don't anticipate proceeding with your proposal beyond the theoretical for some time."