CAST OF CHARACTERS
(IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE)

ADM Taylor: Gerry Brinkman
CO_AQilla_Horn: Sandy Prestidge
CMO Garta-Nmbarri: Janaye Hinsley 
FCO Heath: Susan Brinkman
CTO Horn: Russ Hinsley

Hosted by: SM Gerry Brinkman

USS Scorpius - NCC 50666 - 10504.02

"Rock and a Hard Place"

Episode 7: "The Ends and the Means"

The USS Scorpius has just been awakened by the arrival of a Romulan Warbird...bearing Admiral Thomas Nelson Taylor with information.

After the discovery of a small device in the base of the brain of the dead ambassador, and the links that seem to have no relevance to each other in regards to clues, the investigation has taken a dark turn...It is possible that this deadly attack came from Starfleet or Federation personnel.

Admiral Taylor has just beamed aboard and is being escorted to the bridge by the officer of the watch.

Host ADM_Taylor says:
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Resume Mission>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Host ADM_Taylor says:
::impatiently following the OOW::
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::in her ready room waiting for the Admiral::
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::on the bridge, trying to stand up out of an auxiliary chair::
Host ADM_Taylor says:
::follows the OOW out onto the bridge::
Host ADM_Taylor says:
::looks around at the crew hard at work, and follows the OOW to the door of the ready room::
Host ADM_Taylor says:
::chimes the door::
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor:  Enter.
FCO_Heath says:
::maintains her observation of the sensors and the reports from the surface::
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::smiles up at the Admiral, half at seeing him and half at finally getting her butt out of the darn chair::
Host ADM_Taylor says:
::walks through the door:: CO:  A pleasure as always, Captain.  ::nods solemnly::
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::stands:: Taylor:  Admiral.
FCO_Heath says:
::turns to the Doctor:: CMO: Is there anything that I can help you with, Commander?
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
FCO: Not unless you know some trick to talk these to into leaving. ::pats her belly::
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  Captain, I'll come to the point, time is short.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  You have two problems, not one.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor:  Of course.  ::looks curious:: Two problems?
FCO_Heath says:
::shakes her head:: CMO: I doubt they would listen, babies have their own timing.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO: Indeed.
CTO_Horn says:
::Knows that they are about to get some answers::
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::listens to what the Admiral has to say::
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  Your first problem is that there is a smear campaign to discredit the Scorpius underway in the backrooms at SFHQ.
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
FCO: And with my luck, their clocks have stopped. ::grins and paces for a minute::
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  If you succeed in your mission objectives, you'll have to face this campaign head-on.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor:  Now why doesn't that surprise me?
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  If you fail, it will be held over you to apply political pressure when necessary.
FCO_Heath says:
::nods:: CMO:  I've heard that it feels that way toward the end of a pregnancy.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  Because you're sharp, Captain.  but you haven't heard the second problem.
FCO_Heath says:
::turns her attention back to the data coming in from the surface::
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor: I'm listening.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  You are facing an internal enemy that is so secret, very few people know of its existence.  Even I only rarely hear of it, and never in a good context.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::nods:: Taylor:  You're talking about Section 31, aren't you.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  These people are Federation and Starfleet personnel that think themselves Law unto themselves.  They're likely behind the smear campaign.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  yes, I'm afraid so.  
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor:  That would make sense.  If we succeed we'll crimp whatever their plans are.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  I have learned that the disaster on the planet below was to assassinate one person considered to be a medium-level threat.  ::anger rising visibly but controlled::
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::shakes her head:: Taylor:  We have to stop them but how?
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  and the murder of the replacement ambassador was just to cover it up.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor:  Do we know who they were after?
FCO_Heath says:
::turns to Jenise:: CMO: Has anyone broached the possibility that the antidotes for these chemicals be released into the atmosphere so that more people could be treated at once?  Or is the antidote as harmful to those not infected with the virus and toxin as the virus and toxin themselves are to those afflicted by them?
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor:  I'd like Cmdr Horn to join us at this point.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  I can deal with the behind-the-scenes campaign.  We think the previous Ambassador was entertaining talks with Romulan officials.  However, these were to be peace talks and the opening of trade, nothing classified.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  By all means.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor:  So, Section 31 sees any contact with the Romulans as a threat.  Interesting ...
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
*CTO*:  Horn to Cmdr Horn.  Commander, please join me in my ready room.
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
FCO: Captain Serok worked with an airborne release.  It was able to help neutralize the Tabun.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  Section 31 sees anyone that isn't inline with their ideals as a threat.  I'm afraid they want to keep us in a tension-filled atmosphere.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor:  And curious that they are after me ... after all I am of Romulan heritage ...
CTO_Horn says:
*CO*: Be right there.
CTO_Horn says:
::Crosses the bridge to the RR and rings the CO's bell::
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
CTO:  Enter, Commander.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  Yes, I know.  A fact that I did not think was widely known.
FCO_Heath says:
CMO: It's just taking longer to affect those infected with the blight then.  ::glances back at the console:: The numbers afflicted, its staggering.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CTO:  ::nods seriously:: Commander.  ::raises an eyebrow::  I understand you have questions.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor:  Well I've made no secret of it ... it is part of my record.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  Indeed.  However, there are certain individuals that do...take offence at that.
CTO_Horn says:
ADM: Yes Admiral ::as he steps into the Ready Room::
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor:  Sadly, I know that all too well.  But my heritage is irrelevant.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CTO:  Feel free to ask them.  If I have the answers, I'll supply them.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  Yes, it is.  Unfortunately, some are blinded to all else.
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
FCO: I know.  It will take the blight quite a bit longer I'm afraid.  I keep hoping that perhaps the Admiral can help us track down who started this and why.
CTO_Horn says:
ADM: Its about the Tabun.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CTO:  Yes.  A strange choice of biological agent.  Apparently effective here, however.
CTO_Horn says:
ADM: Very effective indeed.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor:  But surprisingly easy to counteract.  I'm surprised they didn't use something a bit more complex.
CTO_Horn says:
ADM: Grapevine says it was stolen from a Star Fleet facility.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor:  This was a trap ... to get us here ... or more specifically, to get me here ... ::thinking out loud::
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CTO:  Yes.  I have to think they didn't anticipate that you would be on scene or discover it before it dissipated naturally.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  Possibly, but let's not assume it was all about you, Captain.  It seems to me the last man at the conn of this vessel made that error more than once.
CTO_Horn says:
All: ::Crosses his hands in a T:: A trap to get you here. What trap and by who?
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor:  Very true, but I have to consider all possibilities, or I wouldn't be doing my job.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  As I said, you're sharp.  CTO:  They call themselves Section 31.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
CTO:  It seems that Section 31 has an objection to a half-Romulan Captain...
CTO_Horn says:
ADM: I have heard of Section 31 but I did not believe they were that big a threat.
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::sits back down as one of the twins kicks her quite hard::
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
CTO:  It seems all of this was to eliminate one person who was possibly entering into a trade negotiation with the Romulans ...
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CTO:  Most don't.  That's what makes them dangerous...they are underestimated too quickly and frequently.
CTO_Horn says:
ADM: If this Plague was a trap it was an awfully big chance to take.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO/CTO:  And they will apparently use any means to reach their ends.  ::sighs::
CTO_Horn says:
CO: I can tell you of two Commanders who might have issues with them if they are after you.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
CTO:  Let me guess ... they're names and Ryan and Russ Horn ...
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CTO:  ::chuckles::  Yes, I'm sure you could.
CTO_Horn says:
CO: The Admiral is right you are very sharp. ::Smiles::
CTO_Horn says:
ADM: So what does our dead Ambassador have to do with this?
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::smiles:: CTO:  I appreciate the concern, but I don't think I'm in any danger just yet ...
Host ADM_Taylor says:
Your ambassador was a replacement.  he would have inevitably discovered Section 31 involvement, and blown the whistle.  He was killed as a preemptive cover-up, I suspect.
FCO_Heath says:
::looks back over the sensors, still listening to the coms::
CTO_Horn says:
ADM: Well the cover-up is over we know about it now.
CTO_Horn says:
CO/ADM: However...........
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::tries to stand up again::
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor:  We'd already suspected Section 31 involvement.  This just confirms it.  So, what do you recommend our next course of action should be?  You know these people a lot better than I do.
FCO_Heath says:
::smiles:: CMO: Medical teams are reporting in, the blight is under control.
CTO_Horn says:
ADM: Do you have any reason to believe that they know the gig is up?
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  That's a tougher decision.  You’re the officer on-scene.  But whatever you do, I'd want to tread carefully...and keep your information close-hold for now.
FCO_Heath says:
::senses something behind her and turns to see the CMO:: CMO: Do you need some help, Commander?
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CTO:  No, not yet.  It's why I arrive in the manner I did.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor:  Agreed.  We keep working as if we are dealing with a medical emergency rather than investigating a case of mass murder.
CTO_Horn says:
CO: I believe we can set our own trap here if we play this right.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
CTO:  You got my attention.
CTO_Horn says:
CO: Do we suspect that Section 31 operatives are still here?
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::laughs at herself:: FCO: Just trying to stand up for three people when I only have two legs available.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
CTO:  Well, if what happened in the medical facility on the surface is Section 31 involvement ... then yes I believe they may be still here.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
::raises an eyebrow and smirks::  CTO:  You'll do, commander.  Indeed you will.  Just the kind of officer that might blindside the criminals behind this.
CTO_Horn says:
CO: Perfect
FCO_Heath says:
CMO:  That doesn't sound easy.  Do you need an extra hand up?
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
FCO: Yes, please.
CTO_Horn says:
ADM: If they have a problem with Romulans lets give them a big one.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::raises an eyebrow::
FCO_Heath says:
::moves to where Jenise is sitting and helps her up:: CMO: When are the babies due?
CTO_Horn says:
ADM: Do you happen to have a Romulan Uniform with you?
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CTO:  :chuckles::  Just don't shoot my ride home.
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
FCO: Anytime now.  The only problem is, a Bajoran woman must be able to relax for delivery to be successful.  It hasn't exactly been relaxing around here lately.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CTO:  ::deadpan:: you're joking, right?  ::points out the window::
CTO_Horn says:
ADM: Good ::Grins:: Your gonna need it.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CTO:  Actually, no I won't.  I have already been away too long.  But I will leave a few guests if you need personnel.  ::smirks::
FCO_Heath says:
CMO: It hasn't really been relaxing since I've been on board.  Every once in a while there are relaxing moments.  But that is about it.
CTO_Horn says:
ADM: I need a Romulan Ambassador!
CTO_Horn says:
ADM: And a full staff for him.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
CTO:  I see where you're going with this ...
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CTO:  I believe Sub commander T'Rath of Wingblade will excel at the role.
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::reaches out a hand:: FCO: Now you know why I'm still pregnant. ::grins::
CTO_Horn says:
CO: How would you feel about Peace negotiations and a Romulan Aide team as a sign of good will?
FCO_Heath says:
::chuckles as she takes the CMO's hand:: CMO: That certainly would do it.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
CTO:  I feel that negotiations need to start with the Romulan Ambassador immediately... ::grins::
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CTO/CO:  However, Commander T'Rael will want her first officer back in one piece.  I like your thinking, but you do run the risk of making Romulan Nationals a target of known murderers.  What's your upside?
CTO_Horn says:
ADM: If all goes well we will have some section 31 guests to show our brig area to.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor:  It is a risk but I think it could work ...
CTO_Horn says:
ADM: And working with the Romulans on this could be the biggest olive branch to date.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CTO:  You'll have your staff, Commander.  I'll speak with Commander T'Rael.  She'll see to the arrangements immediately, I suspect.  The Romulans have a lot to gain here.
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::pulls herself back up with Jazreel's help:: FCO: Maybe at some point.
CTO_Horn says:
ADM: We all have a lot to gain here.
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
FCO: Thank you.  Anyway, maybe at some point it will slow down.  But, for now, I just keep on waddling.
CTO_Horn says:
CO: Are you ready for your big announcement?
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CTO:  Indeed.  I must return to SFHQ.  Unless you want that smear campaign to be successful.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
CTO/Taylor:  There's one small problem, however.  I seriously doubt the Romulans would deal with me.  When I left the Empire I was under a sentence of death for treason.  Knowing how the Romulans think I doubt their opinion of me would have changed much.
FCO_Heath says:
::nods::  CMO: Of course.  If you need an extra hand or two, just let me know.  ::returns to her console and checks the scans to see what she missed::
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  Let's say you'd be underestimating the situation with T'Rael.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor:  We will see.
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
FCO: Thanks. ::smiles::
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
CTO/Taylor:  Ok, lets do this.
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::waddles slowly across the bridge::
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::stands::
CTO_Horn says:
CO: I will get a team down to the surface to put surveillance equipment at the predetermined spot for the conference.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  I must take my leave.
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
Taylor:  Thank you, Admiral.  Let's hope the next time we talk I have some good news for you.
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::enters the turbolift::
Host ADM_Taylor says:
CO:  Indeed.  ::spoken in Romulan::  One to beam over.
Host ADM_Taylor says:
ACTION:  the admiral disappears in a Romulan transporter effect
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::watches the Admiral leave:: CTO:  Ok, let's get started.  What do you need me to do?
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::orders the lift to sickbay::
CTO_Horn says:
CO: In two hours you will be announcing along with the Planets Leaders that the they are the host for peace talks and that you are the Federations Representative.
FCO_Heath says:
::gives the flight systems a once over as she listens to the com chatter::
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::waddles down the hall and enters sickbay::
CTO_Horn says:
CO: Section 31 will not be able to leave this alone
CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::nods as she listens::
CMO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
Mary: Grab a tricorder and come into my office please.
Host Gerry says:
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Pause Mission>>>>>>>>>>>>>>