CAPERNUM: The Meet-Up/Conclusion

Posted on Sat Aug 2nd, 2025 @ 6:57pm by Captain Tore Bjorgo & Lieutenant Commander Billi & Lieutenant Commander Sean Loewen {Meji} & Lieutenant Griffon Resch & Lieutenant Ainkara "Kara" {Meji} & Lieutenant Lenore (Len) Holbrook

Mission: Stellar Problems
Location: Dark Harbor
Timeline: Current

ON:

Griffon Resch and Ainkara went back to the hotel that he shared a room with Sean Loewen and Doc Holbrook. Kara allowed him to lead this time, although her Sense was on high. She wanted no surprises, and all the guards knew better than to cross her due to her odd relationship with Overseer Ezzok and Guard Captain Claire. Even Ainkara found that relationship odd, since both of those leaders seemed to cave to whatever she came up with; who she chose to be while playing servant to Claire. They had allowed it, which made Kara that much more suspicious of their motives. Entering the lobby at a casual gait, Resch and Kara made their way towards the lifts.

Sitting in the room, having been awake since he and Len had spoken about her newfound Force ability, Loewen felt a familiar presence not too far off. Focusing on that familiar presence he then felt that it was Griffon. However, there was a not-so-friendly presence with him. Not malevolent enough to cause him to be concerned but, there was a negative taint to it. Something elusive or undecided. He did not know, and could not tell whether Len could feel them too.

Len had her eyes closed, focusing on things that are around her. She feels Griffon's presence as well as another. She tilts her head slightly as she concentrates on the other presence. After a few seconds she opens her eyes, "I think that he found Kara."

Sean gave a grin as he got to his feet to be standing when they came through the doorway. "That's who that is. I sensed the presence, but I don't know her as well as you and Griffon. She feels...I don't know...shaded, cloaked, as if there is a taint of darkness there. With all she has been through I hope that's all it is."

Len gets to her feet and stand next to Sean. "We will have to see."

Knowing Len could feel it, Sean too felt them arrive at the door to the suite. "We'll know soon enough." He said under his breath as the door slid open.

Griffon, smiling halfheartedly, was ahead of Ainkara when they entered. He saw both Len and Loewen standing and facing the door in the main room, as if expecting them. ~More Force shit, I'm sure~ he thought to himself. "Hey, you two." Griffon said cheerfully. "Look who I found wandering around a marketplace." Stepping aside enough for his follower to get in beside him. "Lieutenant Ainkara, I'm sure you remember Doctor Len Holbrook and Lt. Commander Sean Loewen?"

"I do," Kara said as she got in beside Resch, looking to the two others, giving a warm grin. "A pleasure to see you both again."

"You, as well, Ainkara." Loewen replied. He too wore a grin, glad to see her all in one piece physically.

Len gave her a smile, quickly looking her over to see if there were any noticeable injuries. "It is good to see you as well."

The scrutiny, even with as pleasant as it was, began to make Ainkara uncomfortable. That type thing, a short time ago, meant that someone was interested in some...adult entertainment. As a slave, before Claire had come along and gave her a way out, had been her only purpose other than mining ore. Using Control she steeled herself from reacting outwardly. "Thank you, both. It is good to be among...friends."

Resch could tell that something had chaffed Kara's psyche. He had, after all, been the closest to Ainkara when she was on the Nazgul. He knew her better than anyone. To break the ice on this moment, he spoke up to aid in assuaging her discomfort. "Good to see everyone isn't going to freak out emotionally. Anyway, she can get us to the top office. Overseer Ezzok, an Orion, and his Guard Captain Claire. Kara wants to let them know she is leaving. For whatever reason she says she owes them that much."

Kara's eyes squinted a bit and her gaze became slightly harder as she glanced at Resch. "I do owe them. My reasons are my own." She caught herself and got herself under control before looking back at the other two. "I need to say goodbye and I would like to have all of you with me when it happens. Strength in numbers."

Loewen could feel slight ripples in the Force a few times as Ainkara was obviously calling on Control to maintain her current status. That slight glare she gave Resch had been real, and an ebb of negative energy had come from her before she seemed to get it under control. Yes, she was dangerous, knew the Force, and carried a lightsaber on her hip. A few red flags were raised but he could not deny her what she was requesting. It was her right to do so. "I have every intention of backing you, Kara. If you feel this is the right thing to do I will not stop you." Sean looked to the others even as his thoughts were on the Meji code.

Len nodded to both Sean and Kara, agreeing to go along with what they decided. She had noticed the lightsaber when giving her the once over. She keeps her apprehension tightly controlled, she know what lightsabers can do and she's well aware the she currently doesn't have one.

Resch gave a sigh of relief. "Okay, good. We're all on the same page. I may not understand it, but I told Kara I would back her play." Griffon then looked over at Ainkara. "So, Kara, when would you like to do this?"

The query caught Kara off guard and she arched an eyebrow as she looked at Resch. "Is now not a good time? My intentions are clear, we are all together, and the walk is not that far. Or, do you need a break, Security Chief?"

Sean could see Resch start to bristle at that so, he cut in before the man could respond. "Now is fine, Kara. Please, be patient. We've been here two weeks looking for you. The Capernum is sitting in Federation space not too far distant from here..."

"Capernum?" Kara asked. "Not the Nazgul?"

"The Nazgul took a lot of damage and was taken back to Sol. We were assigned to the Capernum." Len stated.

The look of awe was plain on Kara's face, her jaw going slack as her eyes looked down and tried to focus on several spots as her mind dealt with what she had just heard. "My whole world, everything I knew, everything I loved...gone." The amber biosynthetic reticle in the back of her left eye could be seen at a certain angle from time to time, but what happened next was not that. Both her eyes turned into glowing amber from the rich brown color they normally were. Her body began to shake, not from shock or fear, but in rage. Even Resch could feel the anger radiating from the Voran woman as she came to grips with what she had heard. "First the Iconians, now this!" She hissed this out with absolute hate. "Come! We go to see the Overseer right now!"

Griffon spoke as a voice of reason. "Not until you relax, Kara. Ease down, please. Let's leave here peacefully, we still have to wait for a ride to arrive."

The wave of rage that slammed into Sean's Sense was almost overwhelming. He had never seen, nor felt, that much hate in a single moment until now. "Lieutenant Kara! You will go say goodbye and then we leave this place, do I make myself clear?"

Kara was taking in large breaths and letting them out to get her self control back. Hearing the order from a superior officer seemed to break through the roiling pit of rage in her being. "Yes, Sir. Let's get it done before I change my mind and kill everyone in the keep." Without giving notice she stepped in and casually laid her left hand on Len's right shoulder, simply holding onto it, eyes closed in a moment of meditation. As the seconds ticked by she seemed to be taking solace in touching Holbrook, the anger and hate subsiding slowly.

Len closes her eyes and concentrates on being soothing and calming, knowing that Kara could feel her emotions though touch. She opens her eyes and slightly lowers her the barriers she keeps over her thoughts, thinking to Kara, :: It might take some time, but it will eventually be alright. I am here to help you.::

Hearing Len's voice in her mind, Kara responded in kind. ~This is why I touch you. To partake in your peaceful calm as a physician and a friend. Thank you~

With that said, and feeling the rush of peace and calm from Doctor Holbrook, Kara was once again completely under control. Her rage, anger, and pain had ceased. She removed her hand from the good Doctor. "Thank you for allowing the touch, Doctor. It was very soothing." Her eyes went to Loewen and Resch, glancing back and forth as she spoke. "I am fine now. We can go." Saying that, Kara then began to walk to the door, saying over her shoulder. "Follow or stay behind, I am fine either way."

Loewen shrugged and took a few steps to follow, pausing to see if the others were coming.

Len followed Sean and Kara, not wanting to be left behind, and mentally preparing herself for what might come next.

Griffon got in step after the others and followed.

Once outside the hotel, Kara led them through the city, back the way she and Griffon had come earlier, pointing out the sights and sites to the other two as they went, and a few of the places she had not pointed out to Resch earlier. It took a good hour from the hotel to get to the keep, then traverse that inner sanctum, and come to the level for the office of the Overseer. As always, two guards stood outside the door in the foyer, conversing and one smoking a cigarette as they saw the group approach. By the looks on their faces they immediately recognized Kara.

"What's up, White?" The one with the ciggy asked, blowing his smoke up and away from others, the blowers immediately taking the offending substance away.

"I am here to see the Overseer and Claire. Are they in?" Kara asked, a sudden impatience seeming to enter her being. Resch had seen her while walking; relaxed and casual. But, when these two stepped up she went into it. ~A ruse; an act~ he thought, grinning inwardly. He really needed to get her into Security.

"They are." The man's eyes went to the others. "Who are they?"

"Interested buyers. WEALTHY interested buyers," said Kara, making sure the word wealthy was mentioned in a way that it would not be wise to dismiss.

"I see." The man tossed his ciggy butt into an ashtray that immediately disintegrated the item. "Go ahead, then." The men stepped aside.

Once they got moving again, leaving the guards behind, Resch had to ask. "White? Why did he call you White?"

"No one knows my name, I never spoke it to anyone. I told them I was the woman in white, period." Kara tilted her head in a cynical manner, amusement clear in her eyes. "Hence, the white uniform you saw me in earlier." They stopped right at the closed double doors and Kara turned to look at the others. Ezzok is a very serious man, but he does have a sense of humor even if it is a bit...callous. Anything you need to know before we enter?" Resch shook his head no, then looked over at the other two.

Len shook her head no and looked at Sean.

Loewen gave a slight shaking of the head, his Sense on high. "No. It's pretty straight forward, actually. We're walking into the lair of the beast. Stay frosty everyone, and you," he looked into Kara's eyes. "Remain calm and do not instigate. That's an order, got it?"

Kara gave a sloppy two-finger salute. "Aye, aye, Sir." She saw the look of surprise on Griffon's face for acting way out of character for herself, but chose to ignore it for now. He had no idea what she had been through and who she had had to become to survive. "Okay, here we go." Kara turned to face the door, then tapped a broach on the front of her outfit. "Overseer, White here. I have guests who wish to discuss business." Through the comm a male voice was heard. "Bring them in."

Tapping the door activation key, the double doors sliding open, Sean could swear he knew that male voice. He searched his memory for where he had heard it before but came up empty as they all entered the Overseer's inner sanctum. It was plush, lavish, and obviously expensive in every way. It even had a Steampunk look about it. Behind the desk sat the muscled green man, and an Orion male who was not bald but had long black locks just passed his shoulders.

Kara spun around and walked backwards as she motioned to a meeting table within the chamber. "Have a seat, but not at the head of the table. Anywhere else is fine." She then spun back around and went over to confer quietly with a Human female with red hair.

As Loewen angled towards the table he spoke out of the side of his mouth towards Len. "Keep your eyes peeled and follow your instincts."

Len answered with a nod, her senses opened as much as she can, considering that she was still a novice in the Force.

Resch, being who he was both professionally and personally, let his eyes glance around for all the important matters. Exits, possible items to be used in melee, and the size of the room and where all the items were so as to be able to move easily and not get caught up. Loewen and Holbrook both sat on this side of the table, the side closest to the door. Griffon chose to go around and sit across the table from them, dividing any attention to be given by the Overseer and his minion, Captain Claire.

Standing up from behind his desk, Ezzok came around it. His sleeveless leather top was more like a soft leather cuirass and it showed his formidable muscled arms. The rest of his clothing was also leather, but a softer, plush make and form fitting. The top was standard leather brown whereas the pants and boots were black. He sported a utility belt with tricorder, PADD, and a combat knife. Coming over he removed the PADD from its sheath and placed it on the table before sliding into his chair at the head of the table, tapping his PADD as he did so to set it up for a business transaction. "Greetings. I am Overseer Ezzok, which I'm sure you already know." He looked back over his left shoulder to the two women whispering in the corner. "Claire! Don't be a rodent and come sit down! Bring that saucy assistant with you." He brought his face forward again, grinning like the Cheshire cat at his guests. "Apologies. Good help is hard to find. Your names?"

"Griffon Resch." Eyeing their host, he was sure he had met this particular Orion somewhere else. That, or he just looked like someone from Griff's past.

"Sean Loewen." Again, there was something familiar about this Orion, he just could not place it.

"Lenore Holbrook." She said, getting the sense that she somehow knew the Orion, but could not place him.

Claire came in and sat down on the side with Resch, a subtle grin on her face as she did so. Kara remained standing as she approached the table, but stood off to the side where everyone could see her easily. "Apologies, Ezzok, but this meeting is a pretense. They are not here to buy anything, they are here to take me home. I wanted to come and say goodbye personally." She lifted her right hand and hooked her thumb in her belt near to her saber hilt.

Ezzok, his face still angled downward slightly as he looked at his PADD, glanced up through his eyebrows at Claire and the two of them shared a look and a grin. He gave a soft chuckle from the chest and leaned back in his chair, eyeing all at the table. "Well, this is a surprise. I suppose you expect me to grant your farewell?"

"I expect nothing," said Kara. "I am going and you will let me. This is not expectation this is a demand. If not, you die in this room."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Claire said, standing up. Her eyes went to Kara's right hand as it clutched her saber hilt and then dropped to her side. It had not activated yet, but the promise was evident. "Easy there, White. No one needs to die."

Loewen watched the interplay between the three, curious that he could feel mirth coming from Ezzok, and Claire was honestly trying to prevent violence. He trusted his feelings in this.

Resch stood up and came around the table, bringing his hands up in a defensive gesture as he approached Ainkara. "Kara, throttle down. Let them be heard."

Len keeps a eye on Ezzok, keeping her apprehension in check.

"White, please," said Ezzok, motioning towards her right hand and the weapon there. "Allow Claire to get something for me from the safe. We will not act against you."

At this point Loewen stood up, ready to quickly brandish and ignite his own saber to block Kara's from slicing through anyone. He saw Kara contemplating her next move, and then she hooked her hilt back on her belt and stood with hands at her sides.

Ezzok looked at Claire. "Get the hypos from the safe, the antidote." Giving a nod Claire went and moved an art piece aside and opened the safe behind it, taking out two hypos before closing it back up. Along with the hypos she had a tray of injection capsules, one side blue, the other red. She placed the tray of capsules and one hypo in front of Ezzok, and kept a hypo for herself as she grabbed a blue capsule and inserted it into the device. Ezzok did the same, then got to his feet, glancing around at all the expectant faces.

"This will hurt us greatly. Do not react or act should Claire suddenly scream in agony and begin to collapse." Ezzok explained. "I too will suffer pain but my tolerance is greater and I will catch Claire as she falls. Please, comply."

Resch and Loewen both gave a nod that they would. Sean looked at Len and, knowing she was a doctor and would want to react to suffering, wondered what her response would be.

Len gave a nod then took a deep breath, her hands clenched into fists.

Everyone, Kara included, watched in fascination as the two Dark Harbor leaders looked at each other. "You ready?" Ezzok asked Claire as he put the injector point against his skin. Claire took in a breath and let it out. "Not really but, it has to be done." She too placed the hypo at the ready against her skin. Ezzok nodded and they injected a full blue capsule each into their bodies. Within moments the affects were being seen. Claire put her hypo on the table and then clutched her hands over her face, teeth clenched as she began to breathe in and out rapidly like someone trying to stave off pain. Ezzok set his hypo down and leaned on his hands on the table top, his own breathing in and out with the onset of what looked to be absolute agony. Claire then screamed, a shrill cry from a person suffering excruciating pain throughout her body, with Ezzok, despite his own pain, catching her and holding her tight to himself so she would not fall and harm herself by writhing around on the floor.

Ezzok's green skin began to disappear, replaced by the Caucasian skin tone of a Human. From the observers point of view it looked like his green skin tone had transferred to Claire, as she was now turning an Orion shade of green, with her hair going from red to black. Ezzok's own hair went from black to dishwater blonde. Claire continued to give low yield cries of pain for about a minute until she had completely changed from who she was to an Orion woman. Ezzok, now bearing a recognizable face with his green skin gone and natural hair color back in place. It was now a Human holding an Orion, not an Orion holding a Human.

"Ahh! Fuck, that hurt!" Said the Orion female, easily recognized as Lt. Commander Billi now. The man holding her was none other than Captain Tore Bjorgo, and making sure she could stand on her own, Tore released Billi and she took a pace back.

Kara stood with a slack jaw, knowing she had felt a familiarity with these two for some time, but not expecting this. "You! You were here all along and said nothing!?" Her tone was perturbed, not angry.

After rubbing his arms and torso a bit, Bjorgo looked at the three visitors. "Good to see you all again. Sorry for the ruse, we're deep, deep undercover here."

Resch stepped in and gave Tore a hug, smiling from ear to ear. "Good to see you alive, Captain!"

"Agreed," said Loewen casually.

Len unclenches her fists and nods to them. "Captain, Commander, good to see you both."

"Good to see you, too, Doctor." Bjorgo's eyes went around the group. "All of you. The hypos bring about genome changes, for surface scans and eyes. Anything deeper would give up the ghost but not many want to mess with an Orion male built like a brick shithouse." He smiled.

"My skin is still burning," Billi says, rubbing her arms and torso, especially her boobs. "Damn, we have to go back under, too. Sucks ass."

"That it does, but it needs to be done, Billi." Said Tore.

"Why the disguises, if we may ask." Loewen wanted to know why. "And, why did you leave Kara to the wolves while you two sat atop the white tower, as it were."

"I would like an answer to that, as well...CAPTAIN!" Ainkara said that between clenched teeth.

Bjorgo explained that they were working on a deep cover operation to shut down the Dark Harbor slave trade, as Federation Intelligence operatives, not Starfleet. Kara had been lost in the shuffle as they were captured by not only undercover agents, but actual slavers. Kara got caught up by slavers and Penni had killed her group of slavers to the man and then disappeared, they know not where. That was why it took them so long to locate Kara, and to maintain cover, did what they could for her so as to not disrupt the operation. One mis-step would have been costly and set them back for months. Tore and Billi both felt horrible about it but the good of the many outweighed the good of just one. They both apologized deeply to Ainkara as they finished their tale.

"I can't say I agree with it, but I can't argue with it, either," Sean said. "Intel is an ugly world and why I was never interested in it."

"Same here," said Resch, glaring at both of the undisguised. "You shit all over my friend, Captain, Commander. I can forgive it but I won't ever forget it." As he said that he stepped in closer to Kara, showing his loyalty to her as a friend.

"Nor will I." Kara said, her eyes showing that that betrayal had done more to hurt her than anything done to her since she was captured.

Len can feel the emotions from those around her, slightly overwhelming her senses. She closes her eyes and focused on bringing her senses back to just around herself. She opens her eyes, feeling a headache coming on. She keeps her thoughts about what the Captain and Commander said to herself, having never liked dealing with the Intelligence community.

Griffon, still miffed, stepped in closer to Bjorgo and Billi. "Okay, the show's over. Take more magic potion and then get us a ride out of here. Kara, too. Or, so help me I'll..."

"Mister Resch," Loewen gave a stern voice. "That's enough. He gets the picture." Sean then looked at Tore. "You heard the man, Captain. Make it happen or you will suffer the consequences."

Billi looked sheepish, knowing they had done wrong in the eyes of their compatriots. Bjorgo, however, showed no such sign. "What will you do, Commander?" Asked Bjorgo. "I did what was asked of me to save more lives. Hundreds of slaves come through here, monthly. As Ezzok I can at least make sure they get sold to the better masters. If we weren't here they would be sold to the highest bidder no matter what. We are working to shut it down completely. Make a stink and you will be responsible for the slave trade continuing." He looked around at all the faces. "That goes for each of you. You don't have to like the methods, but the end result is far better than allowing it to continue."

Kara stepped in and took Tore's hand in hers, shaking it. "I am glad you are doing what you are doing, despite what I have been through. I am an example of you being right in this. If not for your presence I probably would not be here at all. If I never see you again it will be too soon, but what you are doing I cannot dismiss out of hand. Thank you for that much mercy to protect your mission. Good bye, Captain." Having said her piece Kara stepped back beside Resch and took his hand as they were down at their sides. "Take me home, Griffon. I don't care if we have to steal a ship just make it happen."

Len reached into her bag that was hanging off her shoulder and pulled out a hypospray. She walked up to the Captain and handed the hypospray to him. "It is a painkiller that should reduce the affect of the other hypospray. I do not like seeing people in pain." With that she gives a final nod before standing next to Sean. "Ready to go when you are."

Kara let go of Griffon's hand and made a gesture to the other two to begin moving towards the door. "Let us leave." She looked over her shoulder as everyone was moving toward the door, she being the last one out. "Billi--Claire, you know how to contact me. Let us know when a transport has been found." The double doors slid open and out walked Loewen and Len side by side, then Resch making a triangle pattern to those exiting. Just passed the entryway and doorjam Griffon stopped and looked back, seeing Ainkara coming up behind him. He did not think much of it until he looked her in the eyes. Once more her eyes were that eerie amber color, however, this time, dark circles had formed under and around her eyes.

Having followed behind the trio, Kara had decided to kill both Bjorgo and Billi, that whispering dark spirit telling her in her mind that it would solidify her power and make her stronger to unleash her rage. Hate made her stronger and these two maggots must pay for what they had done to her. She heard Resch say a couple of words in a low tone even as his pleading gaze met hers. "Oh shit." That was all he said as Kara unhooked her saber hilt and ignited her crimson blade. "I am sorry, Griffon. Please, forgive me." With that she waved her hand and the doors slid shut backed by the sound of the lock activating.

"Sean! She's going to kill them!" Resch alerted his comrades even as he pounded a fist on the door and repeatedly tapped the unlock key to no avail.

Hearing this Loewen spun about. He had felt that sudden rush or darkness and rage even as Resch had called out. His own saber leaped into his hand and he ignited his cloud-blue blade and motioned for Len to step out of range. "Griffon, move!" The Security Chief did just that as Sean raised a hand and did a pinching, twisting motion, the door unlocking and sliding open as he followed the first gesture with a wave of his hand. With all his powers at the forefront, Loewen stepped through only to see both Billi and Tore firing their sidearms at Kara to stop her. The crimson blade she wielded twirled and spun about in front of her, easily deflecting the bolts of energy. One such bolt rebounded back to Billi, striking her right shoulder causing her to cry out in pain and drop her weapon.

Kara felt a rush of joy at the violence she was unleashing, feeding on the fear she could feel coming from both her targets. Their uncivilized particle weapons were easily deflected as the bolts came at her and she even deflected one back towards Billi, striking her high on the torso. The Orion woman went down with a cry of pain and clutched her right shoulder while on her knees even as Kara continued to advance. Despite his being an augmented Human abomination, Kara could feel the fear rising from Captain Bjorgo and she relished that feeling. He now knew how she had felt for the past few months as she was used and discarded on a daily basis. "You cannot win, Captain! I will destroy you!"

Deflecting another bolt she then raised her left hand even as her right held her saber up at the ready. The left hand formed into the hold of someone grabbing an invisible throat and, as that happened Tore's eyes lit up as he suddenly could not draw breath. With her Force choke locked in, seeing Tore's resolve slackening, Kara made a gesture as if pulling something towards herself. His pistol was wrenched from his hand, and Billi's came up off the floor to fly behind Kara to another part of the chamber. "I have you now!" Tore dropped to his knees, still fighting the choke, all of this happening within a few seconds as she advanced to stand over Billi who was looking up with pleading, saddened eyes. Giving a twisted, evil grin, Kara addressed the Orion in a cynical, sarcastic tone. "I forgive you now." She raised her blade up in one hand, that thrumming sound as it moved, and struck downward to cut Billi in half from top of head to crotch. But, even as her crimson blade struck downward it was caught in mid-stroke by another lightsaber with a blue blade.

"I don't think so," Loewen retorted, his own blade blocking that of Kara's to save Billi's life. He gave her a stern look but grinned. "No one dies today, Kara."

"Arrrgh!" Kara gave a battle cry of rage and turned her attention to Sean, and he reacted by going into a defensive stance. Forgetting the two rodents she was going to kill, Kara then turned her attention towards the interloper and began to strike at him, seeing he was well-versed in his own saber techniques as he easily defended himself even as he backed away from her advances.

Resch, seeing what Loewen was doing, waved Len in. "Let's grab Tore and Billi while Sean has her busy."

Len came into the room and she made her way to Billi. She moves Billi into a sitting position then helped her stand. Billi's uninjured arm over Lens shoulder and Lens arm around Billi's waist. They move as quickly as they could back out the door.

Seeing Len moving for Billi, Resch rushed in to help Tore. He was still working at his throat to undo whatever was choking him. He yelled out at Loewen even as he got Tore to his feet and began to try and move to the door with a man that was about ready to pass out. "Sean, she's still choking him! Do something!"

Loewen, hearing that, gave Kara knowing grin to taunt her into putting her full focus on him. She struck a downward blow that was hard and he raised his own saber to lock them together, sparks flying and the electrical buzz of the two blades pressed together in contact causing a kaleidoscope of blue and red over both their faces, the blades crossed before them. Using control Sean strengthened his sword arm and held off the crimson blade with one hand even as he twisted his body like a man ready to throw a shot-put. Twisting back to forward he then opened his hand and sent forth a Force push which he hoped Kara was not prepared for. She was not. The Force threw her back several meters, slamming her back into a wall up high, then seeing her crash to the floor on hands and knees, her saber still active.

Kara, despite her rage and anger, was impressed by this Meji's tactics. She was thrown back, impacting a wall up high even as the Dark side acted to stave off any damage to her body by the impact. However, with the Force reacting for her it pulled its power away from Bjorgo, releasing the choke hold she had on him even as she fell to the floor in a crouched, one-knee position to continue the fight. Looking up at Loewen she saw him standing with his right side towards her, his saber held down at his side as it thrummed, yet ready to come up if needed.

"Enough, Lieutenant Kara! Enough!" Sean said, trying to pierce her Voran brain mentally, without tricks, as he had known her to be dedicated to her duties and position within Starfleet. If she would not respect anything else, his hope was that her loyalty to crewmates just might break through her anger. "As your superior officer I order you to shut down, hand me your weapon, and come with us!"

Resch had just reached the doorway, which Bjorgo leaned against as his vision began to go dark. Just then Kara flew through the air and smashed into a wall and there was a sudden intake of air from Captain Bjorgo. Griffon yanked the man out into the foyer, both of them going down as Resch tried to soften the landing by slowing it down.

Billi Looked at Len as the other two made it out of the office. "Thank you, Len. Agh!" She clutched her burned and wounded right shoulder again even while maintaining her place on her knees.

Len opens her bag and grabs another hypospray as well as a dermal regenerationator. She applied the hypospray to Billi's neck and then got to work on Billi's shoulder.

Billi visibly relaxed as the pain killer began to take affect. "I told Tore the leaving her where she was was a bad idea. His devotion to the mission clouded his judgement." Again, unlike Billi's normal attitude, she gave pleading eyes to the Doctor. "Can you forgive me, Len?"

Len sighed and then gave slight nod. "I can forgive you, you were following the Captain's orders. I am still undecided on if I will forgive the Captain."

Within the office, Kara had just stood up for another go at Loewen when he yelled his commands at her, with no room for debate in his tone. Suddenly, all her rage and all her anger began to evaporate, her eyes darting to her lit blade, then to Loewen, than back to those in the foyer before they came back to look at Sean. She gained control of herself, the anger dissipating as her stance changed from battle ready to relaxed as she closed down her blade and tossed the hilt to Loewen. It rolled to his feet and lay on the deck. "I surrender, Commander."

Using the Force, Loewen pulled the hilt into his left hand and then hooked it on his left hip. Closing down his own blade he then hooked that hilt to his right side. "Glad to hear it, Lieutenant. It would have been unfortunate if I had had to kill you after all we've been through to bring you home. Are you going to remain calm or do we shackle you hand and foot?"

"No need, Sir." Kara responded. "I will fight no more, and I will not go after Bjorgo or Billi again."

Resch got to his feet and came up next to Kara. "Good to hear. I will chaperone you from here on out. I won't hesitate to puck you in the gob should you get antsy. Got it?"

"Understood," said Kara. He was not smiling, and there was no mirth in his eyes. She knew Griffon was a man of his word, and a Security officer dedicated to his position.

Seeing that these two were reaching an understanding, Sean then made his way out to the foyer, the two dumbfounded guards still standing stock still as they had witnessed everything. Loewen went to Len and Billi, taking a knee. "How are you doing, Billi?"

"I'm good, thanks to the Doctor." She gave a weak grin and looked away from his eyes in shame.

"The Commander will be sore once the painkillers ware off. But overall she will be fine." Len said.

Sean gave Len a nod of understanding and thanks for her ministrations. He swung around to Billi's left side and hooked his arm under her left shoulder. "Can you stand?" When Billi nodded affirmative, he then aided her getting to her feet.

Bjorgo had stood up, brushing himself off, then spotted the two guards just gaping in awe at everything. He had put them in place due to the fact they were not the brightest bulbs in the box, and therefore safeguarding his disguise and cover. But, now, seeing them looking him up and down as he was wearing the garb of Ezzok, he grinned and wagged his eyebrows. "You two stand down. I am Ezzok. The real Ezzok. There will be changes coming so get used to it. Speak a word of this to no one or I will end you myself. Understood?" Both men shouldered their rifles and gave nods of complete understanding.

Turning to the motley group of Starfleet officers in his foyer, Bjorgo stepped in to take over for Loewen, letting Billi lean on him. "Thank you, all of you, for saving our lives." He cast a dark glare at Ainkara who remained stoic even as she met his eyes. "You're not going to secure her, Griffon?"

"No need, Tore," said Griffon, nonchalant. "She gave me her word to not kill you and I accepted. As did Loewen."

Sean gave a nod to Bjorgo when his eyes came over to him. "She won't try again. At least, not today." He let that hang a moment before going on. "Now, we need a ride."

Tore gave a nod of agreement, explaining. "I sent a message to the SS Harbinger that you needed a ride home. They're a few hours out but are on their way. I suggest you return to your hotel and await their signal. Billi and I have some explaining to do to the populace. Between the two of us I'm sure we can come up with a reasonable excuse, and lie, to cover for our disguises."

"What happened to Kara will not happen again, Tore, or I walk," said Billi, with conviction. "It's time to change the dynamic for Dark Harbor and let the criminals know there's a new sheriff in town." Looking over at Holbrook, Billi gave her a nod in hopes that Len understood this was her way to redemption for what had been done.

Len nodded, "Take care of yourselves." She moved to where she was standing next to Sean.

Sean gave Len's hand a quick squeeze before addressing the group before him. "Griffon, Len, let's get back to our suite. Tore, Billi, it was good to see you again. I see you have much to discuss so we'll leave you to it. Time to go." With Len beside him, Sean turned to leave followed closely by Resch and Kara. Bjorgo and Billi began to head back into his office as Overseer, to see to their own needs.

OFF:

Lt. Commander Sean Loewen
Flight Control Chief
USS Capernum

Lieutenant Lenore Holbrook
Chief Medical Officer
USS Capernum