Act One, Scene One

[jkeilt]

Ensign Neumann watched for the Captain's response and lifted his cup for another sip of cocoa when he noticed another Ensign approaching them. It was Etain Noguerra; a welcome sight, indeed. She was a dear friend to him and some of his fondest memories were of times they had spent together at the Academy. She was smiling as she strolled up and Bram was glad to see his old friend was doing well. He had always been proud of her for finding success as a fighter pilot but hated that it meant she had to leave the Academy.

“Long time” she said as she hugged him.

“Too long” Neumann replied.

After the hug she pulled back a bit. She pulled up an official face and gave him a nod as she said, "Ensign Neumann, I hope you don't mind. I had a quick question for the Captain."

Ensign Neumann shook his head. “Not at all.”

[Kunanaki]

Hedril and Noonia with Increase

Noonia found Increases speech pattern a bit odd, but nothing alarming. More or less the sort of person that was at work rather than at a social event. If the man bathed and patched up the uniform, did he wash it? If not, Noonia's nose might wrinkle at him being close. "It was a team effort with the Captain in regards to the Holovids. They were patterned to him specifically." Noonia clarified for Hendril. It wasn't giving a lot of information, after all they had completed that mission and what passed between Seona and Cambell is a secret that was deleted and wiped immediately after.

Mordecai glanced around for a bit. "As for the virus, the Thunderchild was able to see a Cardassian vessel that DS9 could not. Then it was a matter of figuring out what to do about that." Not wanting to spill anything about Seona's hand in it, as Noonia himself wasn't sure what should be mentioned or not. The safest play was keeping the cards close to ones chest, and those that mattered already knew. It wasn't an affront to Hendril, as it was the truth, he just wasn't comfortable about taking full credit for things.

[Akirapryde]

Ensign nodded, "I heard so much of the effort that helped bring that Cardassian plot to the surface" she explained to both men. She turned to Mordecai and continued, "I don't mean to pry. I came aboard with most of the crew at Starbase 74. So I don't know all the details. But I find this so confusing."

She turned her attention back to Increase, "I just don't understand how someone could betray the Federation like this" she said softly. It was already a well known fact that Captain Phillips was a key player in the plot. He had been arrested by Starfleet Intelligence and was already giving up information about how the Cardassian rebels were able to set up their coup.

According to reports, Captain Phillips had been giving out Federation secrets. "I guess I can understand Captain Phillips. But only a little bit. But why did that Marine betray the Federation" she said further explaining her view in the over all situation. She was speaking about the 'official reports' that painted Lance Corporal Seònaid Melville as a player within that coup attempt.

Hedril continued, "she served along side her sister. The Cardassians murdered her friends and her sister. How could she throw her loyalty in with those kind of people." She paused a moment before adding, "this is why I want to better understand why people make the choices that they make."

She turned back to Mordecai once more, "what are your thoughts?"

[Kunanaki]

Hedril and Noonia with Increase

Considered the official report to what he knew. Mordecai did not want to get into the inner workings of starfleet in the manner of bad mouthing them at every turn. After all, the official report contradicted a lot of what Seona had done for them. Thus, Mordecai decided to state things as following. "Seona was not betraying the Federation to my knowledge, but rather haunted by things done to her and the idea that the Federation was under attack." cross referencing his comments with the official documentation with a little brush and rub. "Thus, everything she did was in anticipation of a Cardassian ploy. It so happened that she was right, and her actions saved a lot of lives. Yet they also could have easily cost many more. Paranoia is a very dark enemy, but Just because you believe that everyone is out to get you.....doesn't mean you're wrong." A slight wisp of a smile settling on his lips.

[Akirapryde]

Hedril listened carefully to what was being said. Unlike Mordecai, she didn't know the truth of what happened on Deep Space Nine. She only knew of the official report which was issued by the station and the Thunderchild. According to the reports Seona was a twisted individual who left a wake of chaos behind her.

"Please forgive me, I only know what has been released. I didn't know this" she said her artificial sounding computer created voice couldn't express the apologetic image in her eyes. There was a clear disconnect between her voice and her actual emotions.

She shifted her eyes to the side as she thought. "The nature of the mind is one of balance. It has a remarkable vast range of abilities and potential. However it is so remarkably ease and prone to damage when pushed beyond its limits. As I read the reports, I wondered at what point was her breaking point."

[a magical taco]

The captain looked at his pilot and was surprised by her bubbly personality, "Go ahead, ensign".

[Akirapryde]

Ensign Noguerra stepped forward slightly before speaking. Before she would have never thought of approaching a man like Captain Campbell. Before the Academy she would have never had found the courage to be the person she is today. She had officers like Bonham to thank for that. Before she was known as that little girl with glasses, today she was the wing man for one of the best pilots in Starfleet. This filled her with a lot of courage. Courage she was about to unleash.

"Sir permission to speak freely" she asked and waited for permission. Once he gave a nod she continued. "Sir, this just isn't right," she stated. She motioned towards Commander Bonham, "we all heard the rumors and this is crazy. We need the CAG as much as he needs us. We all know his head is straight. So when will we have our CAG back?"

She was determined to get an answer before being sent away. She took in a deep breath as she looked her captain in the eyes.

[Nightmares Echo]

Hedril, Increase and Noonia

It took Increase a little bit to gather everything being said. He had yet to read the official report, or try to involve himself into the event in anyway, so when Hedril addressed him he just smiled softly and said "Sentient beings all face this problem. They have a this huge processor..." he points to the Hedrils head "...and thus, they over process some things." returns his arm to his side as he glances over to Noonia "thus, it leads some of them down darker paths...some down lighter paths. It all depends on the things that has effected their life...much like Lt Noonia mentioned." he drew a long breath "How I was raised and learned things has effected how I live and do things."

A few moments passed "One of my personal rules is...The universe is viewed differently threw another's eyes. So be kind to others, try not to understand their thoughts and how they are going to act, instead let them be and do as they do. Watch for the few signs that will tell someone is up to something." as it is for most of the Science things he does, he watches for those subtle changes in all his experiments which tell him when something is going to happen even before it is really going happen. Then again, it's been years since he really has interacted with people. Heck this is the most interaction he has had with people in...weeks.

[Kunanaki]

Hendri, Increase and Noonia

A thoughtful look crossed Mordecai's features. Of course, inwardly it was more screaming, yet that couldn't be read from the facial expression of neutrality. It seemed as though the Chief Science Officer was sleep deprived, and that's why he was rambling about some very awkward things. Noonia did not know how to handle such things, so he started looking for medical personnel in the nearby area. If he saw a medical personnel, he would break away from the conversation temporarily, to try and get Increase some help.

"Sir, I am concerned about your well being. I do not understand what you are trying to express, but I appreciate the sentiment. Let's get you to the appropriate help that you may need. Have you slept recently?" Noonia glanced over to Hendril, who had mentioned they were busy recently. Wondering if it was stress, OR sleep deprivation, or a mixture of the two causing him to ramble. What could be done? Concern crossed his features as he made sure the rambling Science Officer wasn't twitching.

[Akirapryde]

Hedril laughed at Noonia's statement as she rested her hand on his left upper arm. "Oh, no" she stated, "the Lieutenant is fine. This is how he normally speaks" she said with a smile on her face and a gleam in her eyes.

She gave a nod to Noonia as she added, "allow me to translate" she suggested. "I am pretty sure he means that each person all face two paths. One of light and one of darkness. The choices we make to take which path would be governed by the experiences that we all face" she said softly eying both Noonia and Increase. Her face wore a smile that seemed to grow a bit brighter when her eyes fell upon Noonia.

She turned to face Increase as she finished the translation, "but what I don't understand is if we fail to understand those around us, than how do we know what we are observe. Do you mind explaining Sir?"