Post 378: Jariel Camen, Interplanetary Man of Mystery

Stardate: 70811.0130
Title: Jariel Camen, Interplanetary Man of Mystery
Authors: Vedek Jariel and Lt. Grace
Scene: Symbiosis Commission, Trill
Time: Beginning after "Exit, Stage Left" and ending after "Getting out of Dodge Part Three"
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R.J. Gilmore was a man who firmly believed that "Putting all of your eggs into one basket was the quickest way to ensure that you wouldn't be eating breakfast."

Knowing this, as soon as Gilmore and Blane began to discuss what their next move should be, Jariel rose from his seat in the corner and approached them. He had already realized that in their mad rush to get February off-world in a hurry, they were overlooking one not so minor detail.

He tried signing to the others, but as animated and quick as the conversation was, he finally had to resort to tapping Simon on the shoulder to enlist his aid.

"Hey, the Vedek has something to say," Simon interrupted Gilmore and Blane, as they discussed whether or not the group should split up or stay together.

"Yes, of course." Gilmore replied, "What is it, Jariel?"

[[I do not believe it would be wise to keep the data files and February in the same location.]]

"Oh man, he's right." Simon said, after he'd finished translating Jariel's words. "If we get caught, then not only will they have us and Bru too, but the only real evidence we would have to take to the Federation about what really happened here."

"We can't allow that data rod to fall into the wrong hands." Gilmore agreed. "Suggestions?"

[[I will leave here, right now, and take it with me. I am one man, not of Starfleet officially, and no one will think twice about it.]]

"Security has likely already been alerted to the fact that you're with us, though," Lily said, wringing her hands. "Do you think you can get out?"

Jariel's eyes seemed haunted for a moment by memories the others could only imagine. [[My dear Lily T'Ana. I grew up during the occupation of Bajor, without family, in the child protection system. I know a thing or two about subterfuge.]]

"And he was a politician once too, don't forget that." Gilmore remarked. "I take it you have a plan?"

[[Yes, and the less you know of it, the better I believe it is.]]

"Should we plan to rendezvous with you?"

Jariel shook his head. [[No, my friends. The next time you see me, it will be aboard the USS Independence. Trust me, I know how to find my way home.]]

He moved into the next room and returned with the data rod in his hand. Where it went after that, no one knew because using some sort of slight of hand it simply disappeared from his grasp, right before their eyes. Lily appeared truly surprised, and Jariel gave her a reassuring wink.

"Walk with the Prophets, Vedek Jariel." she said, and he pressed his hands together and tilted them toward her in a motion of thanks.

"Camen," Gilmore called, and Jariel was stunned. It was the first time the Captain had ever addressed him by his first name. "That data rightfully belongs to only one person, February Grace. See to it that it's returned to her."

Jariel nodded and then vanished as the others went back to planning their escape.

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Data rod in his possession, Camen quietly disappeared from the room. From his point of view, there was something to be said for hiding things in plain site. He stepped to a nurse's station and signed to the attendant. [[Where is the restroom?]]

"I'm sorry sir, I don't," She shook her head, indicating she did not understand.

Camen looked down the corridor to his right, where the restroom was plainly visible. He looked back at the nurse and smiled and pointed towards the sign.

"Oh, the restroom? Yes, it's right there." Camen stepped into the restroom, paused a moment, and looked back out. Sure enough the nurse was speaking into the comm, presumably informing security that one of the people they were looking for just ducked into the men's room.

Camen slipped undetected from the men's room and across into the stairwell. He made his way down the stairs and out onto the ground floor. The main entrance was covered, but a fire exit was nearby as well, unguarded, with a sign that said "Emergency exit only, alarm will sound."

Figuring an alarm was going to sound no matter where he left, Camen pushed the door open. The fire alarm sounded at the door and he could hear shouting from back inside the building.

The city sidewalk was only about a hundred yards away. If he made it there, he would be safe. So he did the best thing he could, and ran. He made it about 25 yards when two Symbiosis Commission officers burst through the door and took off in his direction.

Once he reached the street, they backed off, not wanting to attract any attention to themselves. Camen walked down the thoroughfare, glancing in the mirror of each hovercar he passed to see the two guards were keeping a safe distance, figuring he couldn't walk forever and when they had a moment alone they would capture him.

Camen chose his route carefully, zig zagging between buildings and making sure he kept civilians around him at all times. Finally he saw his destination. Camen unclipped his earring.

He looked over his shoulder at the officers who still seemed calm but concerned. The first pointed to the large structure coming up before them, and the second one all of a sudden seemed panicked.

*They know what I'm doing.* Thought Camen, and once again he broke out into a run.

"OH NO YOU DON'T!!!!!!! STOP!" Came the call from behind him, as the guards took off running after him, knowing their chance to capture him was about to run out.

Camen reared back and threw his earring as hard as he could over the gate of the building he was running towards, the Bajoran Embassy. The guard at the gate saw his throw and caught the earring.

"He's a Vedek! Let him in!" A second guard opened the gate and Camen slipped in.

He pointed back at the men from the Symbiosis Commission, and shook his head vigorously to say "No." The guard nodded, and shut the gate behind Camen, reactivating the forcefield.

"HALT! This is Bajoran soil, what is your purpose here?" The Bajoran guard snapped at the approaching Symbiosis Commission men.

"That man is a wanted criminal."

"Oh what charge? Where is your warrant?"

The two Commission members patted their pockets and mumbled to themselves.

"Yeah, that's what I thought. I suggest you move along gentlemen. This man carries the earring of a Vedek which gives him diplomatic immunity, even if you did have a warrant."

Camen put his hands on his hips and nodded his head as if to say "So there!"

Without another word the Commission members backed away from the building, knowing violating the Bajoran Embassy would be considered an act of war, and blow the cover off everything they hoped to protect.

"Are you all right Vedek?"

Camen pointed to his mouth.

"You can't speak?"

He nodded his head.

"Let's get you inside to see the Ambassador."

The guard escorted Camen inside to the Ambassador, and then set up the computer to translate Camen's signs for them.

"Greetings, I am Ambassador Trillia, and yes I realize the irony." Said the woman before him. "To what do we owe this unexpected pleasure, Vedek?"

[[I'm sorry I have little time for pleasantries, but I am here with the USS Independence, and I need to return to them immediately.]]

"The Independence from Starfleet? There is some nastiness about Starfleet on the news I'm afraid, something about a runabout crash."

Vedek Jariel was instantly concerned, wondering if the Symbiosis Commission had gotten to his friends. If they had, the data rod was even more important then ever, as it was the only evidence that would remain of what had happened to Grace.

[[Do you have a transporter? Can you beam me up there?]]

"Of course. There is a transporter aboard my personal shuttle, Vedek."

[[I'm truly sorry to put you out like this, but time is of the essence. I must depart immediately.]]

Trillia led him from her office to the small hanger at the rear of the complex. She powered up the transporter, and scanned for the Independence.

"Sorry Vedek, their shields are in place. I can't beam you. I'll hail them on a secure channel."

Camen was even more worried now then he was before. Shields in place? Above a Federation planet? That was highly unusual for any Starfleet vessel.

[This is Zanh Liis, Acting Captain of the Independence, to whom am I speaking, and keep it short.]

"This is Ambassador Trillia at the Bajoran embassy on Trill. I have a Vedek Jariel here who is saying he needs to beam up to your ship right away. Can you lower your shields?"

[Holy shnikes Camen! How did you get separated? Shields down.]

"Energizing." Trillia tapped the panel, as Camen grasped her ear briefly to express his thanks. "You're welcome. Safe journey.

"SHIELDS UP! Extend them around the Callisto!" Camen heard Zanh's voice as he rematerialized on the bridge. "Take a seat Jariel, it may get bumpy. The Callisto has just begun docking procedures and I think we are about to have company."

Camen produced the data rod from his pocket and held it out to Zanh.

[[This contains the record of what the Symbiosis Commission did to Grace. They wanted me to take it so if anything happened to the rest of them, at least this information would make it back so Starfleet would know what the Commission had done.]]

Zanh Liis took the rod, and handed it up to N'Dura. "Copy the rod to the main computer. I'll want to review its contents as soon as we are out of this."

N'Dura slid the rod into an access port, and copied the files. When finished she pulled it back out, and handed it to Camen. "You should take this to Sickbay. Dr. McKenna may need it if Lieutenant Grace still requires medical attention."

Camen looked at Liis questioningly, and she nodded. "N'Dura is right, carry on." She followed him to the turbolift, and looked at him sideways. "Your earring is missing?"

He produced it from his sleeve with a flourish, and she smiled wistfully. This was a trick she had seen him do since childhood, making items seem to vanish and then reappear magically. She watched as he secured his earring back in place, and she shook her head. "You are a man of many and varied talents, Jariel Camen. Well played."

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Vedek Jariel Camen
Ship's Chaplain
USS Independence NCC-90791

and

Lt. (jg) February Grace
Helm/Flight Controller
USS Independence NCC-90791