Post 501: Under the Bus

Stardate:71016.1800
Title: Under the Bus (or, Sorry, Jariel)
Author: =/\= Zanh Liis
Scene: Bridge, Independence
Time: Following "Mentioning the Unmentionable"
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Xander T. Corbinsky suddenly became very aware that all eyes on the bridge were focused on him. "This will take some time, Captain. If you would please step back, and let me work with Mr. Samson and Mr. Dengar here," he began, "I promise if I find anything, you'll be the very first to know."

"I'm watching you, Corbinsky," Zanh replied, narrowing her eyes at him. "Always watching."

Zanh's focus shifted as Erma Delgotta at communications called to her. "Captain, it seems that Proconsul Tegget does not like to be kept waiting,"

"Damn. The negotiations. How late am I?"

"Sixty three seconds, Sir." Delgotta replied, bracing herself for Zanh's reaction. Fortunately, Zanh was far too preoccupied to let this get to her now.

"Vedek Jariel," Zanh called. She jumped as she felt a hand on her shoulder; he was already standing behind her. "Sneaky, you are. I never know when you're there. Listen, I need you to do something for me," she paused, "the Yensuli,"

[[Say no more.]] he signed, resigned to his fate. He would have to keep them distracted for a while so Zanh and Blane and the others could do their job. [[What shall I do with them?]]

"Why don't you show them the finest hospitality that the USS Independence has to offer," Zanh said with a sly smile. "Take them to dinner at Seven."

[[My pleasure.]] Jariel said with a gulp. [[Then what?]]

"Just tell them that I've been unavoidably detained and talks will start first thing in the morning. Wine and dine them, then make sure they stay in their quarters. For their own protection and safety, of course."

[[Of course.]] Jariel bowed slightly. He was now wondering how he was going to manage to eat anything with Maffe and Sarl and Tegget killing his appetite. Zanh turned away to talk to Blane now, and Jariel tapped her shoulder to get her attention once more.

"You rang?"

[[What shall I tell them that we're protecting them from, exactly?]]

"From me." Zanh replied, and Jariel laughed silently. "Seriously." She added. But he knew that was just wishful thinking on her part.

He knew that he would think of something to explain the situation, and he headed for the main conference room, where the Yensul Trio was waiting.

"Here's a list of the things I'll need for the trip, Captain, if you would just approve the requisitions," TC Blane stood before her, anxious to get moving, and he handed her a PADD. Zanh whistled softly as she surveyed the items he'd requested.

"Oh, is that all." She raised an eyebrow. His list was. . .eclectic, and lengthy. She was, of course, only giving him a hard time as a show of her growing, if unadmitted, fondness for him. She would never deny him anything she had the power to offer, if it meant his mission to find Salvek and the others would succeed. "Nunchucks? Is that really... oh hell, forget it." She affixed her thumbprint to the PADD, and he nodded, a gleam in his eye.

"Thank you."

"No, Lt. Blane. Thank you." She meant not only for his willingess to undertake this secretive and dangerous mission, but for his bluntness with her earlier when she'd needed to hear the unvarnished truth. Her meaning was not lost on him, and he nodded once again.

"Keep a site to site transporter on you, and keep in contact with me as much as you can," she requested. "Any information that Corbinsky finds, we'll immediately transmit to the shuttle. Provided, of course, we can break through whatever it is that is creating that false projection over the fifth planet."

"Aye, Captain." He stepped into the lift. "Main Shuttle bay."

"Thomas,"

He looked up.

"I expect you all to come home."

He saluted her with two fingers, the doors closed, and then TC Blane was gone.

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=/\= Zanh Liis
Acting Commanding Officer
USS Independence NCC-90791