((Penthouse apartment - The Watch Tower - Lokesh - Duronis II))

 

::The resolutions First officer and acting CO for this mission was feeling

very, uneasy, the Romulans were acting very cautiously but with their

usual arrogance, what made Taboo particularly uneasy was the appearance

of the Reman D'everoux..   He was well known to Taboo as a cruel yet

efficient advisor, if he was involved it meant that his task was an important

one, so why was he still on Duronis II, with the Federation now only

holding a skeleton staff on Duronis II and the Zalkonians being no match

for the forces of the Star Empire on their own the ending seemed inevitable,

Duronis II was lost and this beautiful city of Lokesh would be lost forever

under the lash of Romulan rule... Daydan knew that time was short as he

checked his chronometer, less than two hours before their hosts would either

arrest them or eject them by force, knowing the Romulans arrest would be

more to their liking, they enjoyed nothing more than to make some political

coupe against the Federation at any opportunity they got.. ::

 

:: Marlene Yladro the ships new Medical Sciences officer was a welcome

distraction for Taboo as she sorted through her sister personal effects and

packed them for her to be returned on their arrival back to the Constitution-B.

It was no secret that there was no love lost between the two sisters for

something that happened in their past, no one on the ship had any idea why

and no one dare ask, if Marlene was anything like her little sister no one

would be fool enough to anger either one of them..  The Betazoid El-Aurian

Commander watched the thin pale skinned young woman carefully scrutinize

every single item as she carefully wrapped it and placed it into a crate for

transport, even the beautiful alabaster Steinway was carefully packed for

transport...  Taboo pretended not to see the slight of hand as Marlene

placed a small item in her pocket....::

 

Taboo: Lieutenant, are we nearly done?

 

:: Marlene looked up and nodded straightening her uniform tunic as she

stood up from her kneeling position...:: 

 

Taboo: Good, now I want everyone out... 

 

:: The lieutenant gave Daydan an odd look but did as she was told, she

knew better than to question a senior officers instructions, especially one

as unpredictable as Commander Taboo....  When the room was cleared

by the Lieutenant Daydan watched as Marlene was the last to be

transported back up to the USS Resolution...  Daydan pulled a small

scrap of paper from his pocket and followed the instructions to the letter..

It was like a treasure map, Centre of the east wall, face west and walk

five paces, then north 10 paces and turn west, walk straight a head and

touch the blank wall ahead..  Daydan followed the instructions on the

note and touched the wall..  There was a pause, then a sound, a sound

of buzzing like a swarm of bees..  Daydan looked around for the sauce

of the sound and then felt something approach him at incredible speed..::

 

Taboo: oO What in the galaxy was that..? Oo 

 

::He ducked as something buzzed past his face so close it touched him..

Daydan stood up straight again to try and see what it was.. The thing

hovered in the air only meters away just watching him, as Taboo looked

on her realised that this "thing" was mechanical, it looked like a giant

wasp or something but it's surface was clearly metallic..  Daydan stared

with fascination at the creatures agility and grace as it flew, hovered and

flew around some more... He shrugged his shoulders and glanced back

down at the simple note written in the old tongue in pencil of all things,

by now the note was rather tatty but he spoke the words written on the

note...::

 

Taboo: I am Commander Taboo, Lah'rel sent me, and Victoria said hi..

 

:: Daydan had to smile at the simplicity of the commands, he watched

the small creature dart to the same wall he touched and settle on it,

seconds later a large portion of the wall folded revealing two large

wooden boxes with a single carrying handle on each..  He removed

the boxes and placed them at his feet..  They were like rifle cases only

the workmanship of the wooden design and the highly polished surfaces

made them pieces of art in them selves.. Initially of a rose wood the colours

changed some how to blues yellows and greens, Daydan admired the

skilful workmanship with envy...::

 

:: The rest of the wall was like a workshop, every imaginable tool,

old and new sat neatly in it's place..  The mechanical wasp flew

away from the wall and as it did so the wall hid it's secret once more,

Daydan picked up the two wooden cases and made for the transport

zone near the living area..  Taboo tapped his comm-badge taking one

last look at the empty spacious penthouse, such care and hard work had

gone into it's construction, there would not be nearly enough room

in a quarter on the Conny for all of their things, even just the grand piano

would take up far to much space, it would be far to impractical to keep it..::

 

Taboo: =/\= Resolution, this is Taboo, one to beam up.. =/\=

 

Ops:  =/\= Aye sir, you are the last one, we'll be glad to get away

from here Commander, the Romulan Laundean coalition have

imposed martial law on the streets of Lokesh..  What the hell

happened here sir, we've only been gone 6 weeks... =/\=

 

Taboo: ::frowning..:: =/\= Is this a secure channel Ensign? =/\=

:: Holding a case in each hand the mechanical wasp perched on

Taboo's shoulder it's wings still fluttering slightly like it was ready

to leave in an instant.. ::

 

Ops: =/\= Negative sir, I don't think so! =/\=

 

Taboo:  ::grinning.. :: Then keep your opinions to your self or the

officers lounge, and in the mean time perhaps you can have me

beamed onboard before I end up becoming a permanent feature

around here... =/\=

 

((Bridge - USS Resolution))

 

:: When the blue haze of the transporter vanished Daydan was

relieved to see a distant view of Duronis II on the main viewer..

It was a beautiful planet, with it's twin suns and magnificent gaseous

anomalies visible from the plants surface Daydan had hoped he

would have been there for many years to come, unfortunately a

very noble Ambassador was outsmarted by a very well informed

Romulan intelligence network of the very best time to make their

power play.. For Taboo it felt like the fight was over before the

first blow was struck, there was a sour taste in his mouth as he

handed the two cases to the security officer for safe keeping,

then he took to the centre chair and opened up his arm pad

tapping in two small words.. "Prototype secured." Daydan

closed the pad and looked ahead.. ::

 

Taboo: Open a channel to the Laundean Prime minister..

 

Ops: Channel opened..

 

Taboo:  ::standing up and tugging down on his tunic..::

Governor Chandra, this is Commander Taboo, acting

Captain of the Federation starship Resolution..

 

Chandra: Ah yes, Commander Taboo, what has it been, 6,

7 hours, did you think I would forget you so quickly..??

 

::She smiled warmly to him, Taboo looked at her oddly

but smiled back anyway.. ::

 

Chandra: Safe journey Taboo of the federation.. Come back

and see us some time, I'll treat you to some of that Laundean

home cooking I always promised you..

 

:: Daydan blushed tugging down on his tunic..::

 

Taboo: oO Is she flirting with me.? Oo Home cooking, ::smiles..::

Yes ma'am, I'll do that..  ::Daydan thought for a moment, the

woman hated the federation presence on Duronis II, why would

she then invite him back? ::

 

::Suddenly the imposing figure of the Reman appeared, his sharp

needle like teeth snarled at the federation commander like a

primal challenge..::

 

D'veroux: I hope you got what you came for Taboo Commander?

 

::Daydan nodded and stepped closer to the view screen, the image

of the Reman dwarfed Taboo but he stood beneath it unflinching

and tall like David against Goliath..::

 

Taboo: Yes we did, thank you Vicar..  ::Daydan grinned teasingly

hearing little chuckles around the bridge..::

 

::D'veroux looked at Aishma questioning Taboo's comment, the

governor simply shrugged her shoulders..  D'veroux was clearly

unimpressed, he pointed a long clawed index finger at the screen

and sneered at him..::

 

D'veroux: You will stand down Taboo commander, drop your

shields and prepare to be boarded, if you do not we will open

fire..!!

 

::Daydan stiffened, he didn't like being threatened..::

 

Nash: Commander, Tactical scans reveal that the two D'deridex

Warbirds have charged their disruptors and raised their shields..

 

::Commander Kelly, Taboo's number one for this mission had

been quiet up until this point, but the Angosian war veteran

jumped into action instantly..::  

 

Kelly: Red alert..  Raise shields, arm phaser banks and charge

photon torpedoes..

 

::Daydan turned to Kelly and raised his hand slightly then turned

back to the main screen..::

 

Taboo: Belay that order, Helm plot a course for Starbase 118,

take us through the sandbar, just for old times sake...

 

D'veroux: You taunt me Commander Taboo, do you want to die?

 

Taboo:  ::Laughing..:: For a good and worthy cause, why not,

I and my crew will die knowing that we were murdered by a

Romulan servant...  And you allies will turn against you knowing

that you are corrupt and break your word at a whim..

 

D'veroux: Commander Tamolok, prepare to open fire..

 

Taboo: You would open fire on a defenceless diplomatic vessel

on a mission of peace and friendship with out Laundean friends?

 

D'veroux: Commander, you will be dead, and the federation will

know exactly what we choose to tell them and nothing more?

 

Taboo: Did you hear that Fleet Admiral ?

 

::There was a pause and a crackle as the admiral appeared on the

screen..  Daydan felt that his own crew was as shocked as the

Reman was to  see a fleet admiral on the screen..::

 

Vitcheck: I was talking to Commodore Thealon only this morning,

I'm sure he will be upset to hear that we will be sanctioning all

movement through federation space due to such an incident..

Perhaps even arrest... 

 

::D'veroux turned his back on the screen clenching his fists,

he slowly turned to Taboo and stroked his chin..::

 

D'veroux: Where exactly are you Admiral? Not Earth or

Starbase 118, or Duronis II, I know of every single

Federation officer on the planet...

 

Vitcheck: Well-done Magistar D'veroux, I am on Research

Outstation 1389 in the talaris sector.  You recall we have a

listening post their since the Borg threat..

 

D'veroux: ::nodding..:: Outstation 1389, but that's 20 Light-years

away..How?

 

:: Daydan looked at Vitcheck equally puzzled..  The Fleet Admiral

steepled his fingers infront of him resting his elbows on the desk

infront of him..::

 

Vitcheck: Are you asking me to compromise federation research

and classified information?  ::Vitchecks, greying hair caught the

dim lighting of his office table lamp and federation hologram

behind him.. ::

 

D'veroux: :: there was a long pause but eventually D'veroux smiled..::

Gentelmen, you really must learn that we Remans have a sense of

humour not unlike your own... ::fake laugh..:: Have a pleasant trip

Commander...  Admiral...  ::D'veroux cut the link with a signal

across his throat, the screen suddenly went dead, only the Fleet

Admirals face was left on the huge screen..::

 

Nash: The Romulans have powered down their disruptors

commander!

 

Taboo: I thought they might..   ::looking back up at the screen.::

Vitcheck, thank you, now if you don't mind, we should be

on our way...

 

Vitchek: Aye sir..

 

:: The bridge staff looked completely puzzled, the relief on their

faces was clear enough but things did not add up and Bridge

officers were busy calculating light speed and communications

protocols, others were so confused that they stopped working

all together as they whispered to their crewmates about what just

happened..::

 

Taboo: Helm, is that course still plotted for Starbase 118?

 

Helm: Aye sir..

 

Taboo: Good, take us home...

 

::The helmsman engaged his consol and the ship almost instantly

went to warp, a few minutes later the turbo lift doors opened to

reveal a middle-aged crewman in overalls and a towel over his

head as if he was drying his hair..

 

Vitcheck: I can't believe he fell for it..

 

::Daydan returned to the centre chair and stared at the starfields

as they dashed by the view screen, he looked at the waste

management operative as he wiped the grey powder from his

hair and disgarded the scraps of and admirals uniform onto the

floor..::

 

Taboo: Well, everything went to plan Mister Vickeck, only now

we have to arrest you for impersonating a Federation Officer,

that is a serious offence, what do you have to say in your defence

crewman?

 

::Two security guards made their way towards crewman Vitcheck

as Daydan shook his head chuckling to himself..::

 

Vitcheck: But Commander...

 

Taboo: :: Laughing heartily..:: Looks like the Remans aren't the only

ones with no sense of humour around here.. 

 

::Daydans laughter got lauder and lauder as her started to write up

his mission report, slowly his bridge crew started to see the funny

side to and set about their duties.. Vitcheck chuckled to himself

picking up the old scraps of uniform and flipped the towel over his

shoulder, as he entered the turbo left he smiled at the bridge staff,

it had been fun being an Admiral for a few minutes... As the doors

closed he looked at Taboo and when the Commander looked up

the two men made eye contact for a brief second, and with that

look a deep respect for each others roles on the ship..::

 

-TBC-

Cmdr Daydan Taboo
First Officer
USS Resolution