STF

Side Sim: Me, Mysymbiont, and I - Guest Lounge (Open to all)

Posted Dec. 19, 2020, 4:19 p.m. by Lieutenant Commander Renveer (Executive Officer) (Ben Z)

Posted by Captain Molly Holloway (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim: Me, Mysymbiont, and I - Guest Lounge (Open to all)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Renveer (Executive Officer) in Side Sim: Me, Mysymbiont, and I - Guest Lounge (Open to all)

Posted by Captain Molly Holloway (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim: Me, Mysymbiont, and I - Guest Lounge (Open to all)
Posted by… suppressed (13) by the Post Ghost! 👻
(snip)

Bethany’s eyes got wide. “I take this Cyon Cet is not old or terminally ill? Where is Dr. Janvier? Is she aware of this man’s request?” She knew some about Trill law. Mostly that if a symbiont was at risk of dying any trill, whether trained to be joined or not, must take the symbiont to save it. Indeed it seemed this Cyon Cet was trying to force the XO’s hand, as it were. Or…maybe not. She motioned for the other officers to come with her into a near by vacant office. “Do you think he is a danger to others or himself? Does the XO realize this man is on the ship? Does Lt. Forgrave know about this?”

=^= Lt Gadi to Lt Janvier. I need to speak to you about a serious medical problem.=^=
Lt. Gadi, CNS

OOC: I won’t change your post; but consider Heimdel’s reply to be prior to Gadi calling Janvier.
That’s fine
IC: “No, I believe that Cet is healthy; at least as far as I can tell. Dr. Janvier is speaking with… them now.” Heimdel was gradually becoming more used to the joined Trill’s pronouns; but it was still unusual for her. Heimdel nodded to NE Braxton who was speaking quietly to Forgrave, before following the Lt. into the nearby office.

“I… I don’t know if they are a danger to themselves; possibly. I very much so doubt that anyone else is in danger; with the exception of Commander Renveer by way of coercion as I mentioned. And the Commander is aware of their presence; Cet asked for him upon arrival, though Renveer ah… declined the meeting.”

There was a quiet knock on the door; and after a brief pause it was opened by Lt. Forgrave. “Ma’am; Ensign. Braxton steered me here; seems there’s a bit of an unusual situation going on?”

Forgrave, CoS

Bethany listened carefully and it didn’t add up. When Forgrave entered she nodded towards him. “Apparently there is another Trill on board. He wants to Janvier to remove his symbiont and make the XO take it. First since this Cet is healthy, that’s death to remove the symbiont. Second, something is mentally wrong with him. Trill’s don’t refer to themselves in the plural. So there is some kind of disconnect there, possibly mental illness. And according to Heimdel, Renveer is refusing to see this Cet. I need to talk to Janvier but she hasn’t responded yet. This type of thing is handled internally on the Trill home world. Symbiots being given to a new host is not done off of Trill unless the host is dying and can’t wait for a new, chosen host to arrive. My gut tells me this Cet is trying to coerce the commander.”
Lt. Gadi, CNS

Forgrave glanced at Heimdel for confirmation, and to see if she felt anything else needed to be added. At her nod, he turned back to Lt. Gadi. “Coercion sounds right to me; and I don’t like it… Could this man be a suicide risk?”

Cet’s expression betrayed his muted annoyance, but he waved a hand to indicate his understanding. “If you must. I can assure you that I am not acting under duress or experiencing any psychosis, but if you would like a second opinion, I suppose I could give the counselor the same explanation I just gave you. Although I hope you can understand that I wish for this matter to remain as private as possible.”

In the Lounge Janvier raised an eyebrow wondering how the timing could be so perfect. “Excuse me a moment,” she glanced at the Trill man and took a few steps away before tapping her comm badge =^= What a coincidence Counselor I was just about to contact you on a matter of my own. What sort of medical problem do you need me for?=^=

Lt. Janvier, CMO

“Forgrave? Could we get a visual of the room they are in? It is my professional opinion that this man could be a danger to himself and until cleared he should be monitored for his own physical safety.” She didn’t have any qualms about putting this man under visual surveillance to make sure he didn’t hurt himself in order to manipulate the XO.

In response, Issac tapped at his PaDD for a moment, bringing up a live feed of the guest lounge on the conference room’s screen; showing both Cyon Cet and Lt. Janvier present in the lounge. Issac passed the PaDD to Heimdel. “Keep an eye on Mr. Cet, please. Anything looks… dangerous, let’s say; consider yourself under orders to stun the man and transport him to sickbay; that may be a bit much, but I ain’t gonna risk any irreversible incidents here.”

=^=It’s a matter of medical privacy and I would prefer not to discuss the patient over open comms. Could you meet with me very quickly? It shouldn’t take long at all.=^= Bethany wasn’t sure how much this Cet could hear. She stepped back into the hall way to wait for Janvier to step out. When she did and the door had closed behind her she beckoned her into the adjacent office. “The security officers here have expressed some concern about our guest, and from what they have told me, I am very concerned.”
Lt. Gadi, CNS

As Lieutenant Janvier stood and moved to the other side of the room, Cet stood as well, moving opposite of her to the replicator and ordering himself a single apple on a cutting board, which he brought back with him to sit at one of the lounge’s tables. On the cutting board, there was paring knife. Cet glanced up at Janvier as he caught pieces of the call, then began to slowly peel the green skin off of the ripe fruit, meticulously maneuvering the instrument in such a way that made it clear he was accustomed to working carefully with his hands.

(Cyon Cet, Trill Science Ministry)

=^= Understood. =^= Janvier glanced over her shoulder to check on the guest who was causing so much concern. He seemed to have made himself comfortable in her absence. Her gaze drifted down to the knife in his hands. Her stomach felt cold just looking at it. The action of peeling the apple itself was innocent, but in light of their conversation it felt more sinister. Ending the transmission she took care to inform him that she would just ‘greet the counselor in outside.’ Before slipping out to see what Gadi had to say.

Out in the hallway, Elaine let out a soft sigh nearly inaudible, releasing all the tension the uneasy she felt. “You are right to be concerned.” the doctor agreed quietly, “I suspect there is something wrong with the host-symbiont link. The relationship between the symbiont and the host seems… toxic. He is determined to be separated despite knowing the cost of such a procedure, to such an extent that I believe he is a risk to himself should he decide that is the best way to get what he wants.” Janvier sighed and ran a hand through her hair, an old habit of hers. “The issue is I don’t believe that the operation is the solution to the incompatibility issue. Without knowing more I have a hunch that the link problem lies in the symbiont.”

Lt. Janver, CMO

Gadi nodded. “There are rituals that the Trill perform in order to help when there is a problem. But they must be conducted by a member of the Symbiosis Commission. There are two ways: the Himantura or the Rite of Emergence. I think first and foremost we need to contact the Symbiosis Commission on Trill and explain what is going on. I also think he should be in Sickbay under surveillance to ensure that he doesn’t hurt himself. The Trill can send a ship and take Cet back to Trill to decide what to do.” Bethany thought it over, “I have to agree that there is something wrong with the link. Based on what these officers told me, he’s speaking in plurals. And Trills don’t do that. They are one being not two or more. Could we deceive him? I know that sounds bad, but if he’s volatile then we need to get him calmly to sickbay. Tell him you need to run tests, which you would do if you were going to perform the procedure and then need to study it so you do it right? Buy us some time for a ship from Trill to get here.”
Lt. Gadi, CNS

“I reckon as a trill, he’d know about those two options as well, right? Must be a reason he ain’t doing that now - either he’s already tried and it didn’t work, or he was denied those options. He’s got a reason that he’s here, not on Trill. Not saying it’s a good reason, but it’s something. I can’t say I know much of anything regarding Trill culture, but seems like there’s tremendous value placed on the symbiont, and I reckon the joining as well, right? Now, I don’t think this is a popular opinion, but I reckon a man’s free ta do what they will with their life; so long as it don’t affect no-one else. Seems here we got at minimum three beings involved here; Cyon, his symbiont Cet, and Commander Renveer - along with anyone else who’s invested in him I reckon. And as much as I like the idea of fobbing Mr. Cet here off to his people; I suspect that ain’t gonna improve his situation.” I also can’t say I like the idea of lying to the man; if he’s being honest with us the least we can do is be honest in return! Issac kept that last thought to himself; he recognized that such an action could prove equally troublesome, and tensions already seemed to be rising.

Issac Forgrave, CoS

“He doesn’t want to admit his ‘failure to provide for the symbiont before the Trill counsel.’” Janvier quoted. “It’s a matter of pride.” she signed and ran her hand through her hair. “I’ve never met a case like him. For now all I can think to do is to keep him calm and stall for time, but it will only be so long before he gets suspicious. Would it be wise consulting Commander Renveer? Willingly or not, his is involved in this, and his knowledge of Trill culture is superior to ours. Not to mention he is our superior officer and if we want to bring a Trill ship out here, it will have to go through official channels.”

Lt. Janvier, CMO

“Apparently he has already refused to see this Cet. But perhaps I should speak with him? I believe that you, doctor, will have your hands full with Cet. Professionally I recommend confining him to sickbay. I don’t like the idea of trickery, but a full medical evaluation would be a good place to start. And if I remember my studies on Trills he will require a mental evaluation as well before he can give up the symbiont before natural causes takes him. I can check with the XO about that though. Perhaps a background check on this man as well. There might be more to his ‘pride’ than a sense of failure with his symbiot?”
Lt Gadi, CNS

“Pride, eh? Well now, that makes a bit of sense. Don’t reckon that’ll make our lives easier, though. Fer now, I reckon it may be good to get him talking to Lt. Gadi; if nothing else, I’m a bit leery of leaving him alone. From there, we can always move him to the sickbay. And I don’t think our sitting here conspiring is gonna make him feel comfortable or that we’ll agree to his request. In the meantime, I can get ahold of the Commander; see if he can give us any insight.” Issac fell silent, looking around the room. “Now ‘a course, I’m open ta ideas and suggestions, but in the absence of anything else....”

Issac Forgrave, CoS

Bethany nodded, “Doctor? Should we return to our guest?” She turned to Forgrave, “Under no circumstances do I want Revneer and this Cet in the same room. I have no idea how the XO would react to him, but I would venture a guess of ‘not well’ since he refused to see the man. But Cet might react by doing something desperate if he sees Revneer and thinks he can tip the scales.” She hoped Janvier agreed with her. It would make her ‘order’ more secure. She was, as of yet, still an unknown on the ship so the other officers may not be as ready to trust her judgement as she would hope. But Forgrave had a good steady head on his shoulders, and he didn’t want any crazy incidents either. “Do you think, Janvier, he’ll agree to see me?” Bethany moved toward the door. She, like Forgrave, didn’t want to leave the man alone for too long.
Lt Gadi, CNS

“No arguments on that; matter of fact I think I’ll actually go to Renveer - avoid bringing him down here and chancing them running into each other.” Forgrave nodded firmly, and stood in preparation to leave; looking to Janvier to see if she had any suggestions or alternate ideas.

Elaine tilted her head and thought back on her conversation with the man in question. “He’ll agree,” she said, “Perhaps you will be able to help him more than I can.” she sighed, “What harm could it do? If Forgrave speaks to the X and we speak to Cet, perhaps we will be able to find a more… reasonable solution than the one Cet is looking for.” Divide and conquer. It was a touch hopeful to believe that a few small conversations would fix everything, but it would help. Hopefully between them, the Counselor would be able to work out what was wrong with the host-symbiont relationship, and Forgrave would be able to find out where Renveer stood on the whole matter.

Lt. Janvier, CMO

“Heimdel? I’d like you and NE Braxton to stay here; I reckon consider yourselves under command of the Lieutenants here; though I trust y’all’s judgement of course. I’ll be in touch; hopefully we can come to a good solution for everyone here.”

With that, Issac stepped out into the corridor, heading for the turbolift. Tapping his badge, he called Commander Renveer. =/\=Sir? I’d like to meet with you regarding a guest we currently have on the Dresden. Where can I find you?=/\= Issac’s tone was polite, but brooked no argument. It was less of a request than a statement, though still respectful.
(OOC: probably a good point to split off into a separate thread)

Issac Forgrave, CoS

Bethany was thankful for the continued presence of Heimdel and Braxton. She left the room and moved over to the door to the guest lounge. She would wait for Janvier to introduce her to Cet and hopefully he would be willing to speak with her. Hopefully they would be able to find out what was really going on and actually help Cet rather than play into his fantasies of how to create a better life, better outcome, better whatever it was he was looking for. She nodded for Janvier and waited for her to enter the room first.
Lt Gadi, CNS

Leading the way Janvier navigated to where Cet had situated himself. Clearing her throat politely so as not to startle the man when she spoke. “Mr Cyron Cet, this is Lieutenant Gadi, the ships Counselor, the one I mentioned briefly earlier.” she introduced. “Lieutenant Gadi has agreed to help assess your… condition and evaluate it so that we can properly decided on a solution most beneficial to yourself and other parties.”

Lt. Janvier, CMO

Cyon watched the pair approach expectantly, setting down the knife he was using to peel the skin from his fruit. “Charmed,” he said as a way of greeting the counselor. The bald trill man held out a hand, motioning to the seats across from him at the four-person table. “Please, ask whatever questions you’d like. I’m quite confident that answering them will dissolve any misgivings either of you may have about my request.” He folded his hands in his lap and leaned back against the chair.

(Dr. Cyon Cet, Trill Science Ministry)

“It’s a pleasure Dr. Cet. I guess, and perhaps it’s because I don’t understand the unique relationship between symbiont and host, I’m wondering why you are considering such a final solution. Dr. Janvier and I want to make sure we are able to support and care for everyone involved. This is after all new medical territory for us.” Bethany’s face was open and honest. She was also very careful not to tell Cyon that they were going to perform the surgery. They would support and care for everyone involved based on the ethics, morals, medicine, and Trill law. Bethany was strongly against doing this. She still felt like they should contact the Trill homeworld to have someone come and get Cyon and handle this internally. As far as she was concerned the Prime Directive prevented any of them from helping Cet unless he was actually dying. Even then protocol was to contact the home world and try to maintain life support until a new host arrived. Usually they brought their own doctors with them as well. Bethany did NOT like this, but Cyon wouldn’t be able to tell that.
Lt Gadi, CNS

Cyon Cet nodded. “I appreciate your concern, but I will tell you that I am not a foolhardy man… I have exhausted all other options. I have completed the Zhian’tara and done the Rite of Resurgence with multiple of this symbiont’s past hosts. None of those conversations have helped.” Cyon’s gaze flickered for a moment. “In fact, they seem to have only made the problem worse.” He blinked to refocus again. The scientist paused, earnestly attempting to determine the best way to convey his reasoning to the Leuitenants.

“I am asking you to preform a procedure that will benefit everyone involved. The Cet symbiont will have a new, worthy host that can add to its legacy, Renveer will be equipped with a variety of skills that will help him be an exemplary executive officer for the Federation, and I will be released from the pressures of expectations I simply cannot live up to.” Cyon sighed through his nose. “I realize that the risk of mortality for myself is high. However, I accept these risks knowing that the alternative is nothing better. If you are unwilling to complete the procedure yourself, please at least help me convince Renveer to travel with me to Bolarus IX to locate a Bolian surgeon who is not restricted by such convictions.” A hint of frustration seeped into Cyon’s voice. But there was a bit of desperation there too. “I know Renveer will agree if only he hears me out. All I ask is for you to facilitate a conversation between us, and assist us both when we come to an agreement.”

(Cyon Cet, Trill Science Ministry)

“Forgive me doctor, but my understanding is that, unless under extreme circumstances a host must have finished joining training. I’m not aware if the Cmdr has undergone this training. And selection is a time consuming process. What makes you so certain that Cmdr Renveer is appropriate when he wasn’t chosen for the Cet symbiont in the first place.” She was careful to make it sound not that they wouldn’t help him, but that the choice must be made carefully. She just wanted to keep him talking for awhile.
Lt. Gadi, CNS

A flash of anger and annoyance contorted Cet’s face. “I had hoped Starfleet would keep better tabs on their senior officers. Unless Renveer has done something to expunge his records, I’m certain you’d see from his file that he did complete the joining program.” The trill’s lip curled up slightly in distain. “In fact, ten years ago Renveer was selected to be the next host of the Cet symbiont ‘in the first place’. But when Renveer was informed that the current Cet host was dying… Renveer didn’t arrive to receive the symbiont. He fled to Earth to join Starfleet, forsaking his duty to his culture and to me.” Cet scoffed. “I guess I wouldn’t be surprised if Renveer has made sure the specifics of that situation didn’t follow him.”

Bethany stared at him for a long moment. “Dr Cet, forgive me. I did not mean to upset you. I’ve only just arrived on board. I did not know when I asked Dr Janvier for a brief consult with another patient I would be meeting you. And I also was not aware of your connection to Cmdr Renveer. I have not had reason to examine his file, as of yet. Please forgive my ignorance.” It was said calmly and politely. Bethany had not meant to upset him, but that sudden anger set warning bells off in her head. “But, and again I’m not meaning to upset you. I can tell you care a great deal about the well being of the Cet symbiot. But if Renveer has removed information from his file, would you want someone so…dishonest to join with him?” It was an honest question, not meant to upset him, but Bethany did wonder if Renveer did have the information removed, to her, that would not be a good sign for a host. But she wasn’t Trill either.

Cet’s eyes were more intent now, more aggravated. “I didn’t come here to request for Renveer to accept the Cet symbiont by accident. I told you, I am not a foolhardy man. The symbiont belongs to Renveer, and he has done us all a disservice by abandoning it. He has refused his personal destiny. He has forced this symbiont to reside within an unworthy host, chosen in haste to replace him. And he has made me a miserable shell of a man. I was never meant to be anything more than a surgery aide. Even with the Cet symbiont’s help, I haven’t been able to achieve anything more than plodding along as a research assistant. It is a great shame for a joined trill to lead such a meager existence.” Cyon’s anger was mixed with real pain. He clearly believed what he was saying.

(Cyon Cet, Trill Science Ministry)

Janvier shifted on her feet, uncomfortable at the display of negative emotions off Cet. “If you don’t mind my asking.” she asked softly, “If Commander Renveer chose not to accept the Cet symbiont then, what makes you believe that he will be willing to accept the symbiont now? Have you got a back up option?”

Lt. Janvier, CMO

Cet paused at the mention of a back-up option, giving away the fact that he did not. He pushed past that fact to answer the first question instead. “I have little doubt that Renveer feels a great sense of regret for refusing to be joined. And now that he is executive officer of a Starfleet vessel… having additional skills at his disposal from my past hosts would be invaluable. Surely Renveer will see this.”

(Dr. Cyon Cet, Trill Science Ministry)

“Dr. Cet, we must have a back up plan. The Cet symbiot, if I remember correctly, will die without a host. And we can not force Renveer to accept. You are not a foolhardy man. There are no other unjoined Trills on board. You are willing to remain the host if he refuses?” Bethany had absolutely no intention of letting either of them go through with this. Cyon was not stable and she was more convinced than ever that they needed to contact the Trill homeworld and let the proper doctors and authorities deal with this.
Lt Gadi, CNS

Cyon’s eyes flickered, a shiver of panic at the thought. “If Renveer doesn’t agree, I will likely be forced to live out the rest of my days like this. Renveer is the only host I know of that has been a confirmed match with the Cet symbiont. Even if the joining program has identified another that could take my place, they won’t share that information with me… much less would they allow me to voluntarily remove the symbiont.” He gulped. Cyon Cet was a difficult man to decipher. He was obviously in distress, and his irritability was likely tied to his psychological turmoil rather than any malicious intent.

“Please,” Cyon said after a moment, “just help me talk to Renveer. I’m miserable, Counselor. The Cet symbiont has been a curse for me, not the blessing it is supposed to be. Of course I want what’s best for the symbiont… but that’s not me. And what’s best for me certainly isn’t this constant humiliation.” He sighed in defeat. “I had hoped that Renveer would agree to use the resources of the Dresden, like the Doctor here, to perform the procedure. No surgeon on Trill would do such a thing. Willingly giving up your symbiont… it’s extremely taboo.”

(Dr. Cyon Cet, Trill Science Ministry)

Bethany listened. The man was grasping at straws and desperate and that wasn’t good. “Let me see what we can do.” She motioned to Janvier and went back into the corridor with her. After the doctor joined her and the door closed she began to speak. “I’m going to go meet up with Renveer and Forgrave and get his take on this. I think it would be best if Cyon Cet was taken to sickbay, and given a sedative to keep him calm. He’s very agitated and even though he is forcing this decision he knows it’s wrong and desperate. Tell him his blood pressure is too high, tell him it’s a antibiotic as a procaution. Telling him we are sedating him probably won’t go over well, but it’s my recommendation, if you agree.”
Lt. Gadi, CNS

Bump

The XO and CoS approached together (OOC coming from other thread). Bethany was standing outside the lounge with Janvier. She nodded at Forgrave. Her look none too happy with the current events. “Cmdr before you decide to go in there let’s go in here and talk.” She waved to the adjacent room.
Lt Gadi, CNS

OOC: Gonna move this forward since Cass is on a LOA, if we need a medical opinion in the meantime we could pull in our ensign!

IC: Renveer nodded at Lieutenant Gadi, but quickly averted his gaze and ducked into the conference room adjacent to the guest lounge. He sighed heavily through his nose as he sat down in one of the chairs at the far end of the table, though not at the head. The executive officer dragged his palm down his face before he refocused on the other officers entering the room. “Yes, Lieutenant Gadi?” he said in a tired voice to invite her to speak her mind.

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)

OOC: Trigger warning.
IC:Bethany took a deep breath. She and the XO didn’t always see eye to eye, but she was concerned for him and what this Cyon Cet was trying to do to him, and she didn’t like it. “Cmdr. I’m probably speaking out of turn, but I don’t want you going in there. From both a professional and a personal stand point. This Cyon Cet is not stable. I’m not an expert or even an armature of Trill law, but first of all what he’s asking the doctor and I to agree to…we can’t. He wants us to remove the symbiont from him. He knows he’ll die and he wants to. He’s made it up into the perfect solution to his problems. And he means to coerce you into taking the symbiont. He means to force you to submit your body to a procedure whether you are willing or not. There’s only one word appropriate for when someone is forced to submit their body to someone else’s wishes. And it’s vile.”

She moves over to a chair and sits down across from him. “I have recommended that we contact the Trill home world to send a ship for him, and let the experts on Trill help him. He says he’s done that and that he’s here because they won’t approve of his ‘solution.’ He’s grasping at straws. If you go in there and refuse him, he’ll harm himself. I have no doubt about it. Maybe not right away but he will.” Bethany pauses. “This is an internal matter, the prime directive does not allow us on the ship, to do much. The matching of a symbiont with a host is not at Star Fleet’s discretion. I really feel like that man should be put on suicide watch, he wants to die and he’ll do it at any means. He’s justified it in his mind. Your government, the Symbiosis Commission, should handle this. Most of the time when he talks it’s two different personalities talking.” She sighs, “I can’t stop you from going in there, but in my professional opinion you should not. He should be on watch and possibly sedated until someone can come to help him and make a decision. He’s angry at you, seething anger, and he means to make you pay for it.”
Lt. Gadi, CNS

OOC: Apologies for this incredibly long post :|

Renveer took a moment to take in everything that Lieutenant Gadi had said. Then he stretched his arms out on the conference table, running his palms along the smooth surface. “Well, I assumed he would be coming in here…” he said with a forced smile as an unbelievably bad attempt at humor. When this was inevitably met with uncomfortable silence, the commander sighed.

Though he was mindful of the ‘right place, right time’ aspect of decorum, Issac had a great fondness for bad, black humor. He successfully fought back a grin at the Commander’s ‘joke,’ though it was a struggle. Perhaps it’d be helpful to lighten the tension in the room, but it was also a genuinely troublesome and possibly dangerous situation, deserving of respect.

His voice turned remorseful as he folded back into himself defensively. “Dr. Cet has expressed this wish to me before. I attempted to deter him by downplaying my duties as a ship’s counselor as boring and unimportant, which seemed to work for a time. But now that I’m an executive officer, I’m sure the Cet symbiont is more determined than ever to join with me. My relationship with that symbiont is… special.”

Renveer had difficulty meeting the eyes of the counselor across from him as he continued. “I don’t think contacting Trill is a good idea. Cyon seems convinced that he is an embarrassment, and publicly exposing his insecurities would only worsen that condition. What’s more, there are laws against harming a symbiont, and I don’t believe that Cyon deserves to be imprisoned, especially because he has not actually done so. I don’t believe that he would go so far as to harm himself…” Renveer’s voice betrayed the fact that he was not sure about this possibility.

Renveer leaned forward with a small groan as he folded his hands in front of him. “As far as the Prime Directive is concerned, it doesn’t apply to members of the Federation. And even if it did, considering this is my culture, I think I am well within my rights to address the issue here. If we can’t find an amicable resolution… then we can contact Trill.”

“I respect your opinion, Counselor,” he said as his gaze did fully meet Gadi’s now, “but I don’t like the idea of forcefully sedating a guest aboard our ship who has done nothing wrong.” He breathed in deeply. “But, I am also not an unbiased party in this situation. And if he is as unstable as you claim, the captain should be informed that he is aboard. She can decide what to do with him.”

Renveer paused for just a second before tapping his comm badge. =^= Renveer to Captain Holloway. Lieutenant Gadi, Lieutenant Forgrave, and I are discussing a matter of internal security in the conference room adjacent to the guest lounge. I think you should join us. =^=

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)

Forgrave sighed deeply as he considered the various presented options. “I think I tend ta agree with ya, Sir - I ain’t keen on… detaining a man who ain’t doing nothing but suffering in his own skin. But same time… it’s a damned easy argument to say it’s for his own safety. And I’d say that’s right as well. I don’t know what the ‘best’ move is here.” Issac shifted his gaze from an empty point in space to Renveer’s eyes. “At the end of the day… I ain’t placing Dr. Cet’s safety and well-being above yours, Sir. Maybe that ain’t the… most ethical of decisions, but that’s how I see it. I sure don’t wish him ill, and I want to help him, but not at your expense.”

Issac Forgrave, CoS

The call came as a surprise. An issue of internal security? Molly’s hand flew to her commbadge as fast as she could, and her short reply came shortly afterwards. =/\= I’m on my way. =/\=

It didn’t take long for Holloway to walk in the conference room, holding a steaming cup of coffee in her hands. Given how fast she seemed to have been walking, it was astounding that the hot liquid hadn’t spilled over.

Molly didn’t immediately sit down. Instead she stopped just enough away from the doors to allow them to close and stood there. Her gaze jumping through each of the three occupants in the room, finally settling on Renveer. She wasn’t angry, but rather surprised. And Molly Holloway didn’t like surprises. Especially when three of the ship’s senior officers were involved and the words ‘internal security’ had been mentioned.

Finally, after taking a sip of her coffee, she asked in a nonchalant tone, which those familiar with Molly would know, it was not always a good sign. “Anyone care to update me on what is going on?”

Holloway, CO

Renveer felt his stomach drop as Molly stood in the doorway. He considered the captain to be a friend, but despite their many conversations, Renveer had remained rather tight-lipped and private about his personal life. It was only when she entered the room that Renveer realized that summoning her to participate in this conversation would change that entirely.

The trill man gulped subconsciously before extending a hand to invite Captain Holloway to join them at the conference room table. “We have a visitor aboard who’s been acting… irregularly.” Renveer couldn’t fight the urge to downplay the situation. “His name is Dr. Cyon Cet, and he’s a researcher at the Trill Science Ministry. He apparently traveled to Earth to speak with me in person, though my understanding is that he just wanted to… bury the hatchet. I guess that was a false pretense. He’s really here because he believes that the Cet symbiont should be removed from himself and placed inside me.” Renveer had no desire to go into why Cet might request this of him specifically.

Molly had intended to stay standing near the door, if anything to let the officers present know that she didn’t intend on staying long. However, as Renveer revealed a much more personal subject than what she had expected, her expression shifted to a warmer one and she found herself moving away from the entrance, and settling down on a vacant chair. There was a hint of worry behind her gaze. Taking another sip of her coffee, she let her First Officer continue.

“Dr. Cet is in distress, having told medical officers that his life is miserable with the symbiont, and that he feels like an embarrassment since he has not, in his opinion, lived up to the level of greatness many who are joined achieve.” Renveer sighed through his nose. “I care about Dr. Cet’s safety, and honestly I’m not quite sure what his next course of action would be if we simply ejected him from the ship. He may harm himself, the symbiont, or both.” Renveer straightened in his chair slightly. He considered this situation to e his responsibility, though exactly why was not clear to the others. “But contacting the Symbiosis Commission threatens to make Dr. Cet spiral further, as ideation of this kind is… extremely taboo.”

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)

Holloway would never understand Trill culture. Somehow, choosing another being to live inside of oneself was not exactly a concept she found particularly enticing. But even though she couldn’t wrap her mind around the why, she needed to respect the fact that other cultures behaved differently than her own, and she would strive to make sure whatever was happening between Renveer and this Cyon Cet person would be treated with the utmost care.

Taking some time to ponder, Molly took another sip from her mug after Renveer finished his account of the situation. They had never spoken about the fact that he was not joined with a symbiont, and Holloway was perfectly fine with respecting his silence. She was quite the private person herself, and if it wasn’t for the fact that he had been her Counselor for the past many months, Molly would probably not have shared many of the facts of her own past, regardless of their friendship.

After what seemed like a long silence, Holloway finally spoke. “I take it you don’t want to be joined with this symbiont?” She paused again for a moment, before continuing. “You said Cet travelled all the way from Trill to the Dresden. Are there no other suitable hosts for his symbiont? Why you specifically? I’m sure that if he wants to experience what it is like to be the Executive Officer of a starship there are other ways that could be done…” The last sentence was an attempt at lightening the mood. However, as good as Molly was at lighthearted jokes and at reading the room, there was no telling how it would be perceived.

Holloway, CO

Uncharacteristically, Renveer did not react to the jest and instead remained silent for a long moment after Molly’s questions. Hiding his emotions was never Renveer’s strong suit, especially around people that he implicitly trusted. But usually, this wasn’t a problem for Renveer. In almost all other circumstances, the executive officer tended to be calm, cool, collected, and steady. In this circumstance, it was obvious that he was not. Despite his best efforts to keep his inner thoughts beneath the surface, the turmoil within his mind was likely plainly obvious. There was more to this situation than Renveer was letting on, and it was a more distressing subject than he was communicating in words.

When Renveer did eventually speak, it was in a halting manner. “I decided to leave the joining program many years ago, to instead pursue a career in Starfleet. I believed that being a Starfleet counselor on a ship designed for exploration would be too dangerous of a post for a symbiont.” That was at least part of the story. “As for why me specifically…” There was a telling change in Renveer’s pitch and tone. Molly and Isaac would likely be able to tell that he was no longer simply omitting parts of the truth, but actively lying. “Well when I was part of the joining program of course they take our bioscans to see if we could be compatible with any symbionts. Apparently Dr. Cet was able to use his access and contacts at the Trill Science Ministry to track down bioscans of trill that would match the Cet symbiont and found me. And he sees my position as a executive officer as an opportunity, rather than a liability.”

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)

Molly sighed softly. There were a lot of things that Renveer was, and a liar was not one of them. And even if she didn’t know it, the fact that he was incredibly bad at it made it even more apparent. At least, it was painfully obvious to Molly, someone to whom the detection of deceit had been an integral part of her job for the past few years. But she didn’t press the subject. It was clear that the topic at hand was an incredibly personal matter to Renveer and even though it was only her and Forgrave present in the room, she didn’t want him to feel pressured into sharing anything he didn’t want. Holloway chewed on her cheek for a moment, as she carefully pondered her next few words.

“Alright.” Molly finally started. “I understand that this is a sensitive topic among the Trill and that you don’t think that contacting the Symbiosis Commission is the proper way of handling the situation. Now…” She paused again and tapped her fingers on the table, clearly organizing her thoughts. “I also understand you fear that Dr. Cet may harm himself or the symbiont if we send him on his way.” Molly took a moment to breathe. “When it comes to this ship and her crew, they are ultimately my responsibility. That includes you, Commader, and that means I have an obligation towards you and your safety. Not towards Dr. Cet and his symbiont. You are a vital part of my crew, while they are simply guests on board my ship.” Molly’s gaze never left Renveer, and in her face, there was a warm albeit worried expression. She wanted him to understand that he was not the one to blame, but rather that she had the power to make the problem go away, at least for the time being.

“If that’s what you want me to do, I will do it. That way whatever Dr. Cet’s course of action ends up being, it is my responsibility and not yours.” She paused again, the worry in her eyes more apparent. “I should probably have a conversation with our guest as well, but I am not sure if it would be a good idea for both of you to be in the same room together. At least not before I understand a little more about who he is. From what you said earlier, Commander, I take it you never met Dr. Cet before?” If Renveer was lying, Molly was playing along, for now at least, as she tried to look for inconsistencies in his words, and for something that told her more about what they were dealing with.

Holloway, CO

Some of the color drained from Renveer’s face, but moreso from the continued discussion of this topic than from anything in specific Captain Holloway had said. His eyes flickered at her last question. “No, I haven’t met him before. We’ve exchanged communications, but our discussions were brief and unremarkable. I don’t understand why he’s decided that now is the time to confront me in person with this request.” There was a layer of nervousness and even a very light hint of fear in Renveer’s voice.

Renveer folded his hands together and squeezed them. “I’d prefer to be present when you talk with him. He might say things that are difficult to make sense of without the proper context.” There was a double meaning behind the request. But as much as Renveer understood the security risk that Holloway and Forgrave perceived, he was considerably more worried about what Cet would say if given the chance to speak uninterrupted.

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)


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