The skies had cleared from the previous evenings storms, leaving the air cold and crisp. Standing on the edge of a cliff several miles from the Ephyra Colony, Admiral T'Ora took in the view, the wind whipping her white hair around her face. As the minutes passed she grew impatient and was about to turn and walk back to her shuttle when she heard the faint whine of an approaching craft. In a moment she made out the silhouette of a Bajoran two person transport. Vedek Comina Kira was late.
As the craft settled in the wet grass T'Ora marched up to the hatch, not waiting for the impulse engines to power down. With a hiss the hatch opened and Kira jumped to the ground, ignoring the steps appearing from the hull.
"Well?" T'Ora asked.
"The Vulcan is tucked away. Safe for now."
"Where?" the admiral snapped.
Kira raised an eyebrow. "You want to tone down the attitude? You called me, remember? He's safe. In the last place you would ever look for a Vulcan.
"So tell me then. We're safe here from observation."
"Are we? Kira asked looking up at the sky.
T'Ora produced a tricorder and practically shoved it in Kira's face. 'Look, No scans in process."
Nodding Kira whispered. "He's bedded down at the Casino. Zek and Tanis are looking after him."
The Admiral looked at her like the Vedek had lost her mind. And then Kira could almost swear a smile crossed her lips. "You're right about that. I would guess that is the first Vulcan the Ferengi has ever seen within a mile of his business."
Kira looked out at the river running at the cliff base. "I can't keep him there long. Two days at most."
"Agreed. Any longer and the young man will suffer permanent damage. And the parasite will be lost."
Kira shot her hard look. "Please, your young Vulcan made the decision to try to save what was left of Mr. Dinn. We should respect that."
"It was...illogical and he will be severely reprimanded if he survives."
"Dinn may have valuable information on the Retarnee."
"Nothing worth a Vulcans life. Do you have a suitable candidate yet?"
"I have a team on it. Mr. Dinn may have to settle for... something less."
"Less?"
"Less than what he was...maybe...not even human."
"Bajoran? Will it work?"
"My doctors are not certain. They barely believe the transference is possible at all."
T'Ora turned and started for her own shuttle. "The procedure will work. Whether it 'takes' depends on your candidate, and...Mr. Dinn."
At the shuttle hatch T'Ora turned. "When this is done. I owe you."
Kira shook her head. "No you won't. We're helping each other. And hopefully the colony."
As T'Ora's shuttle lifted from the ground the Admiral took a data padd from the chair next to her and started to reviewed the report again.
It was...unbelievable. No one, not even a Vulcan had ever escaped from a Retarnee prison planet.
***
Back at the Casino Zek Ishka tossed a jacket around his shoulder and headed for the front door.
"Where are you going?" Tanis called behind him.
Without turning. "I'm going to see Zon. I want to know who that is upstairs."
As the door closed Tanis whispered. "I bet you're not going to like what you find."
Off:
A post by Marcus Dinn
Admiral T'Ora of Vulcan
Member of the Legislative Assembly
Ephyra Colony
Vedek Comina Kira
Member of the Vedek Council
Ephyra Colony
