Pay the Piper
by TC Blane
1223.18.
After Total Recall: During To Light the Sky
by TC Blane
1223.18.
After Total Recall: During To Light the Sky
TC silently stood vigil outside of the waiting room as the Bajoran doctors worked their magic on Zanh Liis. It had already been several hours. He paced back on forth in the waiting room making random patterns on the carpet with his hand firmly set behind his back. He felt his duty not only to watch over his fallen captain but also to the man that meant so much to her. Vedek Jariel.
“Lt. Commander TC Blane?” A voice from behind stirred him from his pacing and he turned to gaze on the forms of no less then three Starfleet security officers.
* I was wondering when they would get around to me. * TC laughed to himself.
He glanced at the pips on the lead security officers collar. “Yes. What can I do for you lieutenant?”
The man stepped forward. “I am Lt. Smithers, Starfleet security. You have to come with me sir.” He paused. “We have orders for your arrest.”
TC simply blinked twice before nodding his understanding.
Jariel who had been seated quietly watching the exchange now stood up and moved besides TC. “What is the meaning of this?”
The security officer shifted uneasily. “I am not at liberty to discuss it.”
TC smiled at Jariel. “It is alright. I’ve been expecting them.” The calmness in TC’s voice caused the Vedek to frown in shock.
He turned back to the security officer. “As soon I am assured that Captain Zanh will be alright I will be happy to go with you.”
The lieutenant stepped closer and grabbed TC by the elbow. “Sorry sir but my orders are to take you directly to Captain Grant’s office.”
TC’s eyes drifted down to the hand that was gripping his elbow and then followed the arm back to stare into the lieutenant’s eyes. Any hint of complacency gone from his expression. “I thought I made it clear that when I am sure that the captain is out of danger I would go with you.” He glanced back to the mans hand. “It is a good thing we are in a hospital, that way they won’t have far to take you.”
The lieutenants gaze wavered for a moment and then once he remembered his cohorts standing nearby his confidence returned. “I have my orders.” He repeated.
“Do they include getting your hand broken?” TC asked.
Then Jariel stepped between the two men breaking the security officer’s grip on TC. “Come now gentlemen. Surely there is no need for violence. We are in a hospital.” He turned to the security officer. “Are you under instruction to use any means necessary to bring Mr. Blane to this Captain Grant?”
After a moments hesitation Smithers shook his head. “No, but he is under arrest.”
“So you have stated. Mr. Blane has already agreed to go with you, peacefully, once he had been assured of his captain’s condition.” He smiled. “What harm would there be to wait until we receive word. Wouldn’t it be preferable to resolve this with out anyone getting hurt?”
Lt. Smithers pondered it for a moment as he sized up TC. It was obvious the man was not going to budge and they were in a Bajoran hospital, not the best place for a altercation. After a moment he sighed.
“Very well, we will wait.”
TC nodded. “Good choice.”
“But consider yourself under arrest.” Smithers added.
Jariel clapped both men on their shoulders. “Good then. Why don’t you and your men have something to drink.”
Just then the head surgeon that was operating on Liis walked around the corner and approached the Vedek.
“Lt. Commander TC Blane?” A voice from behind stirred him from his pacing and he turned to gaze on the forms of no less then three Starfleet security officers.
* I was wondering when they would get around to me. * TC laughed to himself.
He glanced at the pips on the lead security officers collar. “Yes. What can I do for you lieutenant?”
The man stepped forward. “I am Lt. Smithers, Starfleet security. You have to come with me sir.” He paused. “We have orders for your arrest.”
TC simply blinked twice before nodding his understanding.
Jariel who had been seated quietly watching the exchange now stood up and moved besides TC. “What is the meaning of this?”
The security officer shifted uneasily. “I am not at liberty to discuss it.”
TC smiled at Jariel. “It is alright. I’ve been expecting them.” The calmness in TC’s voice caused the Vedek to frown in shock.
He turned back to the security officer. “As soon I am assured that Captain Zanh will be alright I will be happy to go with you.”
The lieutenant stepped closer and grabbed TC by the elbow. “Sorry sir but my orders are to take you directly to Captain Grant’s office.”
TC’s eyes drifted down to the hand that was gripping his elbow and then followed the arm back to stare into the lieutenant’s eyes. Any hint of complacency gone from his expression. “I thought I made it clear that when I am sure that the captain is out of danger I would go with you.” He glanced back to the mans hand. “It is a good thing we are in a hospital, that way they won’t have far to take you.”
The lieutenants gaze wavered for a moment and then once he remembered his cohorts standing nearby his confidence returned. “I have my orders.” He repeated.
“Do they include getting your hand broken?” TC asked.
Then Jariel stepped between the two men breaking the security officer’s grip on TC. “Come now gentlemen. Surely there is no need for violence. We are in a hospital.” He turned to the security officer. “Are you under instruction to use any means necessary to bring Mr. Blane to this Captain Grant?”
After a moments hesitation Smithers shook his head. “No, but he is under arrest.”
“So you have stated. Mr. Blane has already agreed to go with you, peacefully, once he had been assured of his captain’s condition.” He smiled. “What harm would there be to wait until we receive word. Wouldn’t it be preferable to resolve this with out anyone getting hurt?”
Lt. Smithers pondered it for a moment as he sized up TC. It was obvious the man was not going to budge and they were in a Bajoran hospital, not the best place for a altercation. After a moment he sighed.
“Very well, we will wait.”
TC nodded. “Good choice.”
“But consider yourself under arrest.” Smithers added.
Jariel clapped both men on their shoulders. “Good then. Why don’t you and your men have something to drink.”
Just then the head surgeon that was operating on Liis walked around the corner and approached the Vedek.
=^= Later in Captain Grant’s Office =^=
TC stood at attention at the front of Grant’s desk. Grant was in charge of security for the Starfleet presence on Bajor. He was an older man with salt and pepper hair and a stern expression. He was fit for his age and the bronze tone of his skin revealed that he was not always pinned behind his desk.
“So Lt. Commander, would you care to explain these charges?” He picked up a PADD and read from it. “Desertion, disobeying orders, and theft of Starfleet property; namely one shuttle.” He tossed the PADD back onto the desk. “The Daedalus I believe the report said.”
TC stood stone faced. “I requested leave before departing.”
“Yes, but you did not wait for permission before you took it. Didn’t the captain refuse your request to go after Captain Zanh?”
“Affirmative.” TC replied. “That is why I took leave.”
“With out permission.” Grant clarified. “What about the shuttle?”
TC shrugged. “I needed transportation. No one else was using it. I set the computer to return it to the nearest starbase.”
“It arrived safely at Starbase 28” The captain confirmed as he stood up. “Do you understand how serious these charges are?”
“Affirmative.”
“They will run you out of Starfleet over this.” Grant practically yelled. “I would have figured you of all people to understand the need for the chain of command! I hope it was all worth it.”
TC mind flashed back to the news that he and Jariel had received from the doctor, Zanh Liis was going to be fine. It would take time to heal and rehab but she was going to pull through.
He pulled his comm badge from his breast. “If they want this they can have it. I stand by my actions and do not care to be a part of a consortium that is willing to allow one of their own to be taken off of the bridge of her own ship and subjected to…”
Just then the door to the captain office slid open and two figures walked in. They wore Starfleet uniforms except that the normal colored collar was black. TC recognized the uniform almost immediately, Special Ops. He also recognized the woman who led the pair.
Tyra Do'Chal his former detachment commander. He noticed that she now wore the pips of a captain.
“What is this, who are you people?” Grant yelled.
Tyra walked straight up to grant and held out a PADD. “Captain Do’Chal, Starfleet Special Operations. These are orders to release Lt. Commander Blane into my custody.” She spoke in a thick but soft Middle Eastern accent.
Grant snatched the PADD away from Do’Chal and read the information contained within.
He eyed Do’Chal and then TC, who was just as confused as grant. Grant knew something was fishy about all of this. He walked back around his desk and confirmed the orders with the main computer.
He looked at TC. “You are free to go.” He turned to Do’Chal. “Don’t think for one moment that I and not going to pitch a fit over this.”
Do’Chal had already started to leave with TC in tow. “You can cry all you want because we were never here.” She closed the door behind her.
Once they were out of the office and far down the hallway TC stopped the captain.
“Not that I am not thankful, but what gives?” He asked.
Do’Chal turned around and handed another PADD to him. TC silently wondered where she produced this one from, he did not see her carrying any others. “Apparently you have a very influential, and well connected, Klingon guardian angel who called in a favor on your behalf.”
*N'Dura.* TC grabbed the PADD. “And what is this?”
“New orders. You are now assigned to the USS Serendipity. Chief of Operations.” Do’Chal explained.
TC’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. Nothing ever comes with out strings attached, especially when it comes with dealing with Special Ops.
“Why?”
Tyra smiled. “It was not our idea. Well not completely. The admiral in charge wanted someone with your qualifications and you made yourself readily available by pulling this stunt. So here you are.”
The man with Tyra, TC noticed that he was a lieutenant, tapped her on her shoulder but the captain waved him off. “I know.” She answered.
“All you need to know for now is in your orders. You personals are already on there way to the Sera.” She turned on her heel and made her way down the hall. “Take care of yourself TC. We’ll talk again.”
TC for some reason had a very uncomfortable feeling about her last statement and felt that there was much more to his sudden change in status then met the eyes. Too many years of dealing with the talking heads in Special Ops Command gave him the instincts to smell their influence.
He logged into he PADD as he walked through the halls and stopped when he saw who his CO was going to be. Captain Zanh Liis.
“So Lt. Commander, would you care to explain these charges?” He picked up a PADD and read from it. “Desertion, disobeying orders, and theft of Starfleet property; namely one shuttle.” He tossed the PADD back onto the desk. “The Daedalus I believe the report said.”
TC stood stone faced. “I requested leave before departing.”
“Yes, but you did not wait for permission before you took it. Didn’t the captain refuse your request to go after Captain Zanh?”
“Affirmative.” TC replied. “That is why I took leave.”
“With out permission.” Grant clarified. “What about the shuttle?”
TC shrugged. “I needed transportation. No one else was using it. I set the computer to return it to the nearest starbase.”
“It arrived safely at Starbase 28” The captain confirmed as he stood up. “Do you understand how serious these charges are?”
“Affirmative.”
“They will run you out of Starfleet over this.” Grant practically yelled. “I would have figured you of all people to understand the need for the chain of command! I hope it was all worth it.”
TC mind flashed back to the news that he and Jariel had received from the doctor, Zanh Liis was going to be fine. It would take time to heal and rehab but she was going to pull through.
He pulled his comm badge from his breast. “If they want this they can have it. I stand by my actions and do not care to be a part of a consortium that is willing to allow one of their own to be taken off of the bridge of her own ship and subjected to…”
Just then the door to the captain office slid open and two figures walked in. They wore Starfleet uniforms except that the normal colored collar was black. TC recognized the uniform almost immediately, Special Ops. He also recognized the woman who led the pair.
Tyra Do'Chal his former detachment commander. He noticed that she now wore the pips of a captain.
“What is this, who are you people?” Grant yelled.
Tyra walked straight up to grant and held out a PADD. “Captain Do’Chal, Starfleet Special Operations. These are orders to release Lt. Commander Blane into my custody.” She spoke in a thick but soft Middle Eastern accent.
Grant snatched the PADD away from Do’Chal and read the information contained within.
He eyed Do’Chal and then TC, who was just as confused as grant. Grant knew something was fishy about all of this. He walked back around his desk and confirmed the orders with the main computer.
He looked at TC. “You are free to go.” He turned to Do’Chal. “Don’t think for one moment that I and not going to pitch a fit over this.”
Do’Chal had already started to leave with TC in tow. “You can cry all you want because we were never here.” She closed the door behind her.
Once they were out of the office and far down the hallway TC stopped the captain.
“Not that I am not thankful, but what gives?” He asked.
Do’Chal turned around and handed another PADD to him. TC silently wondered where she produced this one from, he did not see her carrying any others. “Apparently you have a very influential, and well connected, Klingon guardian angel who called in a favor on your behalf.”
*N'Dura.* TC grabbed the PADD. “And what is this?”
“New orders. You are now assigned to the USS Serendipity. Chief of Operations.” Do’Chal explained.
TC’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. Nothing ever comes with out strings attached, especially when it comes with dealing with Special Ops.
“Why?”
Tyra smiled. “It was not our idea. Well not completely. The admiral in charge wanted someone with your qualifications and you made yourself readily available by pulling this stunt. So here you are.”
The man with Tyra, TC noticed that he was a lieutenant, tapped her on her shoulder but the captain waved him off. “I know.” She answered.
“All you need to know for now is in your orders. You personals are already on there way to the Sera.” She turned on her heel and made her way down the hall. “Take care of yourself TC. We’ll talk again.”
TC for some reason had a very uncomfortable feeling about her last statement and felt that there was much more to his sudden change in status then met the eyes. Too many years of dealing with the talking heads in Special Ops Command gave him the instincts to smell their influence.
He logged into he PADD as he walked through the halls and stopped when he saw who his CO was going to be. Captain Zanh Liis.
Lt. Commander Blane
Chief of Operations
USS Alchemy NX-53099
Chief of Operations
USS Alchemy NX-53099