DS9/A02 - Habitat Ring

[Jennifer Braggins]

==

[Theresa Black]

>> Docking Ring >>


In the hour or so they had been in their new quarters, Black had told the story to Papaver of what had happened after the Philadelphia had left DS9 on their joint mission along with the Artemis.

The young science officer nodded at the appropriate parts, and offered warming cups of tea in return as Maz finally let go of what had transpired, and why she along with the rest of the crew that hadn't already been transferred were effectively restricted to the station and the local planet until someone made the decision what to do with them.

She knew that Captain Braggins and Commander Jensen were both being held accountable for all their actions, and high level meetings were taking place somewhere. And she was fully expecting security to come for her next. There would be no second chances this time.

“Well.” Began Papaver after a brief pondering. “I think you did the right thing, frankly. We all do stuff we're not proud of. But I think you did what you thought was right at the time, and of any tribunal says otherwise. I'll still come and visit you.”

“You're not helping.” Said Maz with a smile now as she cradled her teacup. “But, thank you.”

“And you've certainly cheered up some. So,” Papaver turned and picked up a PADD from behind her. “I took the liberty of thinking up ways to  cheer you up more. So I booked you a little pampering session with a makeover on the side down on the promenade.”

“”No!” Said Maz putting down her cup. “Absolutely not. No.”

Papaver grinned, “I knew you'd say that, but I figured could have just put a sedative in your tea and gone to work with a pack of magic markers myself.”

Maz cautiously eyed the tea. “You didn't? Did you?”

Papaver grinned. “I was tempted. But no.” She glanced at the clock. “Appointments in... Twenty minutes. I promise, you'll feel a lot better, and if you don't? I will dye my hair bright pink.”

Maz pondered for moment. “Well, I don't have much else to look forward to. I guess I should try to look my best when they come to take me away.”

“There you go. Positive thinking,”


>> Promenade >>

[R'Kaar Ragarri]

<<previous post<<

R'Kaar had chosen to walk from the Philadelphia instead of beaming over. There was some comfort in being able to walk, as it let one have time to think. For R'Kaar, it was to track down the newest feline member of the Philadelphia. However, finding a particular officer on the station was as easy as asking the computer. However, a Caitian would take the challenge of finding Ktan by leading them to the hunter.

One Benzite had died on the voyage, killed by a Cardassian captor. Which meant R'Kaar headed for the habitat ring's musical section to compose a song for the fallen officer. A piano, some places for musical instruments, and some benches for listening were present. Feline hearing was especially acute, capable of hearing overtones and harmonics most other humanoids couldn't detect. R'Kaar sat down at the piano bench, and began a mournful melody, comprised of lower notes, capable of resonance. But to a feline, there were multiple layers of harmony, and pieces of the Heroes Tongue woven into the melody. To a Kzin or a Caitian, the tones were a call for children of the Great Hunter to chase away the distractions of the afterlife, and to guide them to their final rest. For most, the time incorporated some Benzite funeral music into the tune, but R'Kaar kept composing away, hoping his quarry would hear the hidden tune meant for them.

==Tag Ktan Shadowhunt==

[Ktan Shadowhunt]

Ktan spent an hour or two settling into his new quarters, where he'd stay until Starfleet figured out what to do with him after his misadventure on the Philadelphia. The Bajoran merchant who owned the small apartment had gone back to Bajor for an extended mercantile tour, and would gone for weeks, if not months. That meant for the time being, Ktan had the run of the place - not that there was much running to be done. Ktan could only make so much of a mess with only a single duffle bag's worth of belongings.

A problem I plan to rectify right now, he thought.

He got on the comms and reconnected with the quartermaster over at Outpost Gamma-7, who assured him again that he'd arrange to have Ktan's belongings sent to DS9 on the next available cargo vessel. When exactly that would be, he couldn't say. Ktan could only growl under his breath and disconnect the call.

Not wanting to venture out into the station proper in a fowl mood, Ktan instead settled into some quiet meditation and prayer. The Bajoran had a little reliquary to the Prophets on display in a corner, and it was there that Ktan set himself up, first offering a reading from a traditional Bajoran prayer designed for respectful non-adherents, a chance to parley with the Prophets and ask their permittance to pray to one's own gods. From there, he settled into a series of Rememberer recitations, wishing for redemption for the Kzinti people, the restoration of their females, and a return to the ways of old - free from the arrogance and aggression that plagued Kzin today.

Even as these prayers were ongoing, Ktan thought he heard a response.

A tune. . . a tune of mourning, a mixture of the Hero's Tongue and a complex, mournful melody that seemed to draw on other musical traditions he was not familiar with. Was this the Prophets reaching out to him in a language he might understand? Was he, like many men and women stationed close the wormhole had before him, about to have an encounter with these non-linear entities?

No, Ktan realized. The sound is coming from outside.

Venturing out into the hallway, the music became more clear, coming from somewhere else in the Habitat Ring. He followed the resonating harmonies, each more soulful than the last, down a long corridor until coming up another feline Starfleet officer, a medical lieutenant he recognized from the Philadelphia, sitting at a piano.

Ktan eyed the man warily. Here was an officer who had sworn not only to uphold the values of Starfleet, but also to "do no harm," as was expected from Federation doctors, and he had joined Captain Braggins' little rebellion. He had risked war with the Cardassians and the safety and wellbeing of the hostages, their own crew, and even the citizens on this station to follow a wayward captain's impetuousness. Could Ktan not escape this mutinous rabble?

He wanted to slink off back to his quarters, but the music had - perhaps as the man had intended - ensnared him. He lingered too long, and gave the officer a chance to speak to him.

== Tag R'Kaar ==

[R'Kaar Ragarri]

R'Kaar continued to play as the Kzin approached, but as he finished, he tapped a datapad and said, "Send recording to recipient." And then looked at Ktan from where he was,

"Midshipman Shadowhunt. I knew our common language would bring us together, for are we not all descended from the same ancestors? I wanted to tell you, that because of your quick thinking, Ichika will make a full recovery at Star Base Alpha. She might be confined to a desk for a year or two while her injuries finish healing, but she's alive."

As R'Kaar looked at Ktan, it would become obvious that the Caitian's eyes were artificial despite the attempts to make them look natural.

"I also wanted you to know, that I will not be joining you on our next mission. Because I sided with Captain Braggins when Commander Jensen mutinied the first time, and did not follow Captain Braggins to the Yeager, Star Fleet has assigned me to assist them with understanding the Kzinti breeding crisis. I only found out about that a few hours ago, but I believe that as a Kzin who served with me, you should be the first to know that I will be doing my best to make sure that the Kzinti within the Federation will not die out due to the genetic engineering that defines their culture."

R'Kaar wondered if Ktan would be staying onboard the Philadelphia, but he was also concerned with his well-being. R'Kaar had a soft spot for his fellow felines.

==tag Ktan==

[Ktan Shadowhunt]

== Apologies for the delay, I've been under the weather. ==

As the music ended, Ktan thought that perhaps it was best to slip away and head for the promenade. The song had been beautiful, a wholesome reminder of a home to which he may never return, but now the spell was broken. He knew he needed to leave before. . .

"Midshipman Shadowhunt," the Philadelphia officer said. "I knew our common language would bring us together, for are we not all descended from the same ancestors? I wanted to tell you, that because of your quick thinking, Ichika will make a full recovery at Star Base Alpha. She might be confined to a desk for a year or two while her injuries finish healing, but she's alive."

"Th- thank you," Ktan said, before offering a short bow customary to the Rememberers. The thought that Ichika would live - whatever her involvement in Braggins' indiscretion - was welcome news.

Ktan considering his fellow feline for a moment - a medical officer, a man who very likely made saving lives his top priority. Could HE be blamed, too, for the mutiny? Could he not have simply chosen to remain at his post to save all he could? Did Ktan need to bear him ill will, as he did the majority of the Philadelphia's crew?

"I also wanted you to know," the man continued, and in a brief pause, Ktan finally noticed that the doctor had artificial eyes - not that there was time to ponder the how and why. "That I will not be joining you on our next mission. Because I sided with Captain Braggins when Commander Jensen mutinied the first time, and did not follow Captain Braggins to the Yeager."

Yes. . . the news had begun trickling in that Braggins "punishment" was command of yet another starship, though the assignment itself was far from glorious. Ktan didn't know what political wranglings had happened to let her off that easy, but his part in her story was over and done with. He doubted he would have to interact with the captain again.

Wait. . . Ktan's ears finally caught up to his brain. Did he say he would not be joining ME on the Yeager?

"Star Fleet has assigned me," the doctor continued without immediately noticing Ktan's sudden panic, "to assist them with understanding the Kzinti breeding crisis. I only found out about that a few hours ago, but I believe that as a Kzin who served with me, you should be the first to know that I will be doing my best to make sure that the Kzinti within the Federation will not die out due to the genetic engineering that defines their culture."

"Yes. . . thank you. . ." Ktan muttered, trying to gather himself. It was entirely possible that the doctor had simply mispoken. "But let us also hope that those who live under the Patriarchy might also be saved. A people are not their government."

And a crew is not its captain. . .

Ktan couldn't help but wear his current confusion on his face.

"I'm sorry," he said, "I have had a lot on my mind. Could you indulge me for only a moment? I want to better understand the actions of the Philadelphia's crew during the recent mission. Can you tell me WHY you chose to follow Captain Braggins' over Commander Jensen, and how you all were so easily able to come together again after so much. . . betrayal?"

[R'Kaar Ragarri]

"But let us also hope that those who live under the Patriarchy might also be saved. A people are not their government."

R'Kaar's ears went to the side for a few moments as he considered his reply,

"I....don't think that's possible right now. Given this is a cultural crisis as well as a reproductive crisis, our solution could be considered by the Federation, to be a violation of the Prime Directive if we were to share it with the Patriarchy. But, the former First Officer of the Callisto is a Kzinti, and his Federation colony of Kzin will likely disseminate the cure to the Patriarchy, but we can't directly work with them because of politics and the Prime Directive."

He listed to Ktan continue with, "I have had a lot on my mind. Could you indulge me for only a moment? I want to better understand the actions of the Philadelphia's crew during the recent mission. Can you tell me WHY you chose to follow Captain Braggins' over Commander Jensen, and how you all were so easily able to come together again after so much. . . betrayal?"

"Simple. Captain Braggins never committed a crime. She asked us a hypothetical, that would we follow her if she disobeyed orders that were morally wrong. I weighed the situation, and sided with her, because there was another component to the situation. Not siding with her, would create a state where the Cardassians would have a powerful first strike weapon, that could cause large amounts of civilian casualties. It was a choice between two wars, and I chose the chance of a less devastating war. And Commander Jensen actually thought she was disobeying orders, and mutinied against her. However, I was not part of her theft of the Yeager, and I stayed aboard the Philadelphia with Commander Jensen to retrieve the Yeager."

He got off of the piano bench, and smiled at Ktan as he replied.

[Ktan Shadowhunt]

The doctor took a few moments to process Ktan's words, answering his comments concerning the fate of Kzin first.

"I. . . don't think that's possible right now," he said.

Ktan gritted his teeth, the sliver of hope he had at finding reason from one of Braggins' officers fading.

"Given this is a cultural crisis as well as a reproductive crisis, our solution could be considered by the Federation to be a violation of the Prime Directive if we were to share it with the Patriarchy. But, the former First Officer of the Callisto is a Kzinti, and his Federation colony of Kzin will likely disseminate the cure to the Patriarchy, but we can't directly work with them because of politics and the Prime Directive."

Ktan wanted to argue that offering a nation on equal technological footing a medical advance was hardly a violation. It happened all the time, especially with the Federation. The doctor was right that the Patriarchy may not accept help if it were offered, their pride in their genetic superiority too strong, but the simple act of offering treatments that could prevent a self-inflicted genocide. . . no, General Order 1 did not apply.

Before Ktan could fully formulate a response, the doctor responded to his question concerning the decision to follow Braggins.

"Simple," he said. "Captain Braggins never committed a crime. She asked us a hypothetical, that would we follow her if she disobeyed orders that were morally wrong. I weighed the situation, and sided with her, because there was another component to the situation. Not siding with her would create a state where the Cardassians would have a powerful first strike weapon that could cause large amounts of civilian casualties. It was a choice between two wars, and I chose the chance of a less devastating war. And Commander Jensen actually thought she was disobeying orders, and mutinied against her. However, I was not part of her theft of the Yeager, and I stayed aboard the Philadelphia with Commander Jensen to retrieve the Yeager."

As he finished, the doctor offer a disarming smile, but one that Ktan did not reciprocate. There was no helping these people.

"Starfleet doesn't send attack groups in pursuit of ships who are following orders," he said. "And captains who are following the law don't pass out phasers to their bridge crew to fight them off. Now I think I've had just about enough of this and any other conversation with you Philadelphians."

Ktan let a small growl escape his mouth at his final words, then turned and marched off towards the promenade. He needed a stiff drink and about as much space as the station could offer to be apart from every member of Braggins' ilk.

== Apologies for Ktan, he's still got a lot to process. Transitioning fully over the Yeager timeline now. ==

[Benjamin Elias]

==Post Artemis Mission, 3 Days prior to Artemis Ready Room TL==

The door chime rang, and Benjamin's heart sank down into his boots. He pressed a control that finished his log entry - his final as Artemis Chief Engineer, he was certain now, if not as a Starfleet officer.

He'd been in the visiting officer's quarters on the station for maybe two hours, mostly settling in, taking a long shower, and generally trying to distance himself from the mission that just completed mentally instead of just via physical distance. However, it looked like he wasn't going to get that chance. Why the hell did you send that message? he asked himself. Of course, he knew the answer to that: it had seemed like the thing to do at the time.

The door chimed again, followed by a hard knocking at the door. "Come in," he said, and the door slid open. Three officers in security yellow walked in, two with hands on phasers though no one was bringing anything to bear just yet. The third one had a padd and an extra pip the others didn't have.

"Lieutenant Commander Benjamin Elias?" he asked officially, and Benjamin just nodded, standing. "Would you come with us please? There are some questions we would like to have answered regarding a log entry you forwarded to the JAG office."

Benjamin nodded. "Just for the record, if I were to refuse?"

The man with the padd sighed, and the other two moved their hands across the handles of their phasers. "For the record, I've been granted the authority to bring you in no matter what. Refusal would just make it more difficult for us."

"Well," Benjamin sighed, "we wouldn't want that, now would we?" He stepped calmly towards the group, hands spread at his sides. The leader stepped out with one of the armed guards beside him, while the other took up station behind him. And in silence, they moved towards the turbolift.

>>Promenade>>

[Miles Grant]

<<Docking Ring<<

==Assigned Quarters of Amelina Whittaker==

It took them longer to arrive at the quarters that Lina had been assigned than Miles would have expected, but that was due to a sudden influx of patrons to the station. The important matter was that they had made it, and they could begin to enjoy their time together.

As they set about getting changes of clothes, Miles also prepped the shower for them. True to his word, he joined Lina, where he embraced her and began to trail kisses down her skin. If they happened to be in the shower a little longer than necessary, that was no one's business but theirs.

==Tag Lina==

[Amelina Whittaker]

<< Docking Ring <<

== Lina's Assigned Quarters ==

Getting to her quarters might have taken a little longer than anticipated, but overall Lina wasn't concerned about the slight delay, because they had so much more to look forward to. It was also to be expected given how popular DS9 was, and Lina was quite frankly in her element. Although the brunette hadn't forgotten Miles' whispered promise to join her in the shower, a thought that had kept her going throughout the rest of their walk.

Time could stand still for all she cared before they left the busy walkways behind and began to get organised once the door had closed. She had missed this, more than she could ever realise, and the simplicity of something so normal, that had become their routine whenever they were home together.

Lina relished every second while Miles set the shower going, before her bond-mate stayed true to his word, embracing her the second that he stepped in. " I've missed this" she murmured, as he trailed kisses along her pale skin.

== Tag Miles ==

[Miles Grant]

"As have I, my love," Miles responded, his voice low, almost possessive, as he continued to shower his bond-mate with affection and love. Somehow, they did manage a shower in between expressing how much they had missed one another, and continued that expression after their shower.

They lay together in the bed, Miles pulling Lina close to him as their skin touched. Every sensation felt electric to Miles. He had truly missed this, as his body reacted as if almost touch-starved. And it was, or had been from the time he had been apart from Lina.

As they lay there, Miles told her about some of his misadventures on the Artemis (save for the details of their last mission, which he was not at liberty to discuss), and listened intently as she spoke about her own time while they were apart. He was content in the glow of her as he smiled.

"Anything in particular you were hoping to do on the station while you're here?" he asked, their conversation drifting more to the present. There was definitely no shortage of entertainment on DS9, and he had not yet indulged himself in all of them at this point. But he gave his full attention to Lina as she responded.

==Tags. ==

[Amelina Whittaker]

Following their fun in the shower and immediately after, Lina was quite content to just lay there in bed, wrapped in her bond-mate's embrace. Catching one another up on what they had done during their time apart, was always special to the brunette, and while the pair communicated as much as possible via subspace and letters, talking in the same room was infinitely better.

Lina also understood that there were some things Miles couldn't tell her which she respected, but at the same time just hearing his voice right next to her, was just how it should be.

When asked if there was anything in particular that she would like to do, during her visit, there was something that immediately sprung to mind. " I'd love to watch the wormhole open" she admitted, knowing how strange that might sound. " Other than that, I'd also like to see the Promenade, Quarks, and maybe we could spend some time in one of the holo-suites".

Whatever they ended up doing, Lina looked forward to it and didn't care in what order they explored everything available on the station.

== Tag Miles ==

[Miles Grant]

Miles smiled bemused at Lina's desire to see the wormhole open. As for Miles, as much as he had been stationed at DS9, he had yet to actually see the event himself, so it was definitely something he could look forward to as well. She listed other things she would like to do, all well within their capability to make happen.

"I know the wormhole schedule is a little crazy, but we can definitely make sure we're available for the next one, which should be soon," Miles replied. "I know a lot of the other things won't be too difficult to get to and enjoy. The holo-suites will need to be scheduled with how used they are, but that won't be a problem."

As they continued to lay there, Miles considered some things they could do in the holo-suites.

"Any particular programs you wanted to run?" he asked. "I'm open to whatever you have in mind, and I might be able to find some other fun ideas." He winked at his last statement as he continued to enjoy Lina's presence.

==Tags==

[Amelina Whittaker]

Her desire to see the wormhole open might not be on everyone's to-do list, but Lina didn't have to worry about what Miles thought of it, especially when he was able to give her some insight into the anomaly's schedule. She could have said something cheeky and flirty, but the nerd within won out as the brunette smiled at the handsome man lying beside her. " That sounds great to me, we just need to tear ourselves away from this bed so we don't miss it".

Okay, maybe her inner nerd hadn't won the battle completely, as Miles also mentioned how it wouldn't be a problem reserving some holo-suite time. Its popularity was to be expected, and Lina had heard a few interesting stories about Quarks over the years. " We have plenty of time too," Lina remarked, thinking it made sense to spread out their activities while also making the most of her visit to this region of space.

When asked if there were any particular programmes that she was interested in, Lina hadn't thought about too much. Although Miles certainly made things more intriguing by his choice of words and the way he winked at her. " Not really, but I'm sure we can look through the list of what's available, and oh really, you know I always like it when you find fun things to do".

Lina's response wasn't necessarily specific to the holo-suites, as Miles had a way of not only surprising but keeping her on her toes, which was always refreshing and welcome.

== Tag Miles ==

[Miles Grant]

Miles grin widened as Lina made the statement of liking when he found fun things to do, and it thrilled him to keep up with that idea. While still lying in bed, he managed to pull up a PADD that came standard in every room on station that gave him access to news from around the base. He found the notification section for the wormhole and placed an alert for the next estimated occurrence.

"Alright, that should help us for when the wormhole opens next," he stated, placing the PADD back on the table by the bed. As they continued to lay there, he considered a few other things they could do, including holo-programs. A thought popped into his mind as he considered their options about a recent program he had heard about making the rounds.

"How would you like to do a detective program?"

==Tags==

[Amelina Whittaker]

" Efficient as ever," Lina remarked playfully, delivering a quick kiss on Miles' cheek after her bond-mate set up an alert to give the couple plenty of notice for when the wormhole opened. It was something that Lina herself would have done, and the brunette loved how organised they both were, which made things a lot easier, especially when it came to their time together. She also hadn't missed the grin she had gotten from Miles with her earlier comment, so she had no issue with keeping up with the playfulness.

The conversation quickly moved back to possible ideas for when they used the holo-suite and the idea of a detective programme did appeal to Lina. After all, they both had a security background, and it would certainly be a lot of fun to dress up in the appropriate clothing for the setting.

" I think it would be a lot of fun, and I'd be interested in hearing more about it".

Knowing Miles as she did, he would likely have an idea of what it would involve, or even if it was something they chose as a couple. Either way, Lina was up for it as she had never done a detective programme before.

== Tag Miles ==

[Miles Grant]

==Subplot continued on "The Adventures of Lina and Miles Thread"==