Romulans In Distress Stardate 2260.04

The next few days were uneventful on the enterprise. Kirk and Amara were on the holodeck. They had gotten into early 20th century clothing and had joined several others in the old, Irish pub. Amara was playing rings with some of the locals and beating the pants off of them in the game. After she tossed her last one, everyone cheered and clapped for her. Hamich, the owner of the pub took the loss in earnest and filled her up a mug of ale. She came back and sat in Kirk’s lap and put her arm around his neck as she sipped on her huge mug of ale. The night they had gotten their memories back and every night thereafter she had been quite possessive over him. It seemed alot of the crew had become far more appreciative of those around them lately. The recent mass abduction hadn’t been all bad.

Amara wore an Irish dress, she was wearing something that propped up her breasts and her cleavage was right there nearly under his nose, looked amazing on her. Elyse’s dress was green and indeed she looked Irish with her bright red hair slightly curled as it fell around her shoulders. Scarlett’s dress was pale with a bit of yellow embroidery. Her breasts put everyone else's to shame. Her pale cleavage bulged but she didn’t seem to notice or care much as she tried her hand at rings with Spock and Elyse. McCoy sat near Kirk and Amara and rooted his wife on as she threw. The ring managed to get a peg but not the one she wanted. The crowd made a collective ‘awww’ at the unfortunate throw and Elyse gestured disappointedly as she moved to sit down near her husband.

“I’m tempted to give Kal a commendation for his programs. I think he has a real talent here. I mean..look at this place? Did you enjoy our little boat ride on the lake?” He asked. He had rowed them out to the lake, dropped anchor and had his way with her. Or was it her that had her way with him? It took her awhile to straighten her clothes after that. She wasn’t used to wearing them. As he recalled what had happened he decided it had been the latter.

Amara was thankful for the time she was able to spend with James. After what had happened, she was relieved to have him back. Everyone seemed even closer as a crew after the event. Things were uneventful for the next few days, which was good. It gave everyone a break. Thankfully, no one could remember what had happened and they all figured that was a very good thing. Spock had been particularly affectionate towards Scarlett and had even agreed to participate in the holodeck program with everyone else.

Amara was having a good time. She had an excellent throw in Rings and she had won every game she had played. She was currently sitting on James’ lap sipping her beer. She had been dreaming lately about her time with the Romulans. Last night, James had woken her up after she had seemed to be in distress and had been talking again in her sleep.

Amara grinned at James when he mentioned their boat ride on the lake. Things had gotten rather passionate. “I did enjoy it. Did you?”

Kirk took a sip of his ale I did. I don't often see you in a dress," he said. "You're supposed to wear things underneath it. But I don't recall that you had much underneath," he said with a smile as Scarlett's toss went wide and fell off the peg. "Ohhh!" The crowd intoned and then Elyse picked up another ring to throw. Kirk had his arm around Amara and they were quite cosy on the chair. Normally Kirk wouldn't allow so much PDA but since Amara wanted him to come here, he decided to let do it this once for her.

"Captain, we've come across what appears to be the remains of a Romulan ship!" Chekhov said over the speakers. Kirk and Amara jumped up. "Red Alert, Kal and Fiona to the bridge!" Kirk said as the others stopped what they were doing and followed after them.

Amara immediately jumped up to her feet and she rushed out of the holodeck with the others behind her. They didn’t have time to go change. They just immediately went to the bridge. Amara looked at the screen and then she went over to check and see if she could pick up any transmissions.

The beta officers got up and were replaced by the alpha officers. Scarlett looked into her scanner. She didn’t see any life signs. But those were dead Romulans for sure. It only that but their ship. It looked practically picked clean. Not like what raiders would do. It’s technology, nearly picked as clean as it could be. No warp core, or impulse engines. Energy conduits, just about everything.

She noticed several escape pods were jettisoned as well. The ship was not a design she recognized. It was large but not a battlecruiser. Definitely Romulan though.

“Report,” Kirk asked.

Scarlett looked over at Jim. “I’m not picking up any life signs Captain. It appears that the ship has been picked clean. No technology or warp core remains. Several escape pods were used. It doesn’t look like a battle cruiser.”

Amara continued to check for any transmissions that might have been sent.

Kirk looked at the view screen and was somewhat uncertain of what to do. He rubbed his chin as he thought about the situation.

“Amara, what kind of ship is that. We’ve never seen anything like it,” Kirk said. Amara had seen that ship design before but it had been years since and she hadn’t learned it’s name. Only that it was more of an exploration Vessel.

As she listened she detected a pulse of some kind. As a former Romulan agent she knew what frequencies Romulans used and as she shifted to one of those frequencies she picked up on another distress call. A beacon set out by this ship on top of the standard one. These beacons had an incredible range and of it had been going for a while, likely the Romulans knew about this ship by now. Maybe they were here already?

As Amara listened, she was able to detect a pulse. She remembered the frequencies that the Romulans used and she was able to pick up another distress signal. She knew that the beacon had been going for a while and that the beacons had a long range.

“I’m not sure what the type of vessel is called, but I know it’s an exploration ship. I’ve detected two signals. A beacon sent out by this ship on top of the standard one. These beacons have an incredible range and it appears to have been going for a while. It’s likely that more Romulans are on the way...or already here somewhere.”

Spock left the bridge to go help Scotty with the investigation. Kal eyed Elyse a moment. He had never seen her in a dress like she was in and she saw the look he had given her though only for a moment. Things had not changed in him. He was still in love with her but so far he had kept it to himself. That and he was still with Fiona, who was crazy about him. His hands never left the controls. There was a tenseness to him. Anytime that Romulans were mentioned, there would be no casualness in his stance.

As Scotty began to beam up a couple of large pieces of the wreckage, the bridge crew went to get changed back into their uniforms. Kirk insisted that Amara get into her Section 31 uniform and for her to modify it with just enough red as to denote the starfleet operation division which she was a member of. Kirk, Elyse and Fiona wore gold, Spock, McCoy and Scarlett wore blue and Amara, Kal, Lucia and Scotty wore Red.

Kirk was the last to leave and once he had stepped foot back onto the bridge a Romulan ship suddenly appeared. It looked to be of the same new type like the one that had been destroyed had been. It was sleeker, less clunky than the battlecruisers. Kirk had long since taken the ship out of Red alert and when the ship appeared Elyse looked at him when he hadn’t given the order for Red Alert yet. He shook his head. He would not let them know they were startled. The ship was facing them like an arrow poised to shoot. Kirk turned his chair and gestured to Amara with a finger. He started doing that incase they were being monitored. That meant for her to open hailing frequencies to the ship. He turned his chair back around.

Elyse glanced over at Kal when she felt his eyes on her. She saw him looking at her in her dress and she saw the look in his eyes. Elyse was aware of his feelings for her and though she knew she had feelings for him as well, she loved her husband and didn't want to do anything that might mess up her relationship with Leonard. Everyone seemed...tense and on high alert. Amara went to go change and she changed into her Section 31 uniform. She did as James had instructed and modified the color to add in a little red. 

She looked over just as the second Romulan ship appeared. Elyse glanced at Jim, unsure of why he hadn't gone back into Red Alert. However when she saw the shake of his head she understood. Amara looked over at James and waited for him to signal to her. When he did, she opened up the hailing frequencies and then waited for the Romulans to reply.

When she told him the comm line was open Kirk addressed them. “Romulan ship, this is the…” He began but the Romulan Commander cut him off rudely.

“We know who you are...Captain James T. Kirk. And we know your ship, the Enterprise NCC-1701,” he said. Kirk looked around the room. “It would help me if I saw who I was talking to? Unless that...troubles you?” Kirk asked but it was clear what he was doing. Suddenly an image appeared of a young, Romulan Commander. Amara might recognize him to some extent but not be able to place his face.

“I am Commander Thelai, what is your business here Kirk?” He asked plainly. The whole bridge had gone eerily silent. The Romulans were a serious threat and that ship looked like it could give the Enterprise a tough fight if this meeting went poorly.

“We’ve answered a distress call but when we arrived, it appeared that no one was left alive, do you know what happened to this ship? It’s crew?” Kirk asked just as plainly. Coming off as weak would not serve them here. “We’re only here to offer assistance, if we were to pool our resources we could…” He started but, once again he was cut off. “We don’t need any ‘Federation’ assistance,” Thelai said. “You’ve removed several pieces of the destroyed ships hull, you will return them now and leave the area or we will open fire,” he said cooly just as his and Amara’s eyes met. He raised an eyebrow, clearly recognizing her and her him.

Amara remained silent while she let James address the Romulan ship. If he wanted her assistance she knew he would ask for it. She would not overstep her bounds though, even if she knew more about the Romulans than anyone else on the ship. She thought she recognized the voice of the Romulan who spoke and then when his image appeared, she knew that she recognized him, but she could not place a name. Then, when he said his name was Thelai she knew exactly who they were dealing with. Thelai was a Senator's son and she had known him growing up. 

Her eyes met his through the view screen and she saw the recognition in his eyes. Amara rather stood out with her intense blue eyes. She didn't address him yet, although she saw James glance over at him. She gave him a slight gesture that would let him know that she knew the Romulan they were dealing with.

Kirk shifted and glanced at Amara. He wasn’t certain it was a great idea to have her address him. But it was clear the recognition had upset what he was going to say. Kirk shook his head at Amara. Kirk decided not to give the Romulan what he wanted. He turned back to the viewscreen.

“My Science Officer and Engineer are examining the wreckage. I can send you the data they find or, as you requested, just transport the wreckage back into space. Whatever attacked them didn’t leave any survivors and little more than a power conduit in technology,” Kirk said. “We’ve never seen anything like this before,” he added to give the Romulan an in to grandstand a little.

“We have no doubt of that ‘Captain’,” Thelai said and looked at Amara again briefly. “I will...come aboard and view this data for myself, Thelai out,” he said and cut off the transmission suddenly.

“Amara?” Kirk asked expectantly as he turned to look at her.

Amara watched James and she gave him a little nod in understanding and remained silent. She saw Thelai glance at her again and this time she saw James tense up a little. She continued to remain silent. She sighed a little when Thelai said he was going to come aboard the Enterprise to see the wreckage for himself. She looked at James when he looked at her.

"Thelai is the son of a Romulan Senator. He and I knew each other from school. He was...rather interested in me," she said carefully. James would know that she meant sexually.

Kirk frowned. "Walk with me," he said as he got up. "Elyse, you have the con," he said as he stepped off the bridge with Amara in tow. "So, this Thelai has a thing for...Saehir. I normally wouldn't ask this," He said as they stepped down the hallway toward the Turbolift. "But he may not know of our marriage. Would you consider playing up to him? It could give us a peaceful outcome to this and help us find out what happened here," he said as they got into the turbolift.

"Transporter room 1," he said and the turbolift started.

Amara looked at James and nodded. She followed him off the bridge. She glanced at him when he asked her to confirm that Thelai was sexually attracted to Saehir. "Yes. He was...fascinated by me. I never gave in to what he wanted though and I don't plan to give in to what I know he wants now, but I can certainly play up to him." She took off her rings and tucked them into a secure pocket inside her suit as they headed towards Transporter room 1. "I'm not sure what all he knows about me about this point. He may or may not know that I'm no longer working for the Romulans. I'll have to determine that first."

"In any case, I think I need you more as an Agent on this and not so much, a Starfleet Officer. I know that's not what we talked about nor is it fair so it's your choice but this is a rare opportunity for Starfleet. And I know that he's after something, my guess is that they don't know what happened to the ship either," he said then stopped the turbolift.

"I'm concerned Amara, that ship was just as powerful as ours and it was picked apart like buzzards on a fox," he said as he took her arms into his hands and looked into her eyes. "I need you," Kirk said.

Amara looked into James' eyes as they stood close together in the turbolift. She knew that this was a potentially very dangerous situation...both for Starfleet and for herself. She didn't know what Thelai knew about her and if he already knew, or figured out the truth then she might end up having to fight for her life. However, like always, she was prepared to do what she needed to do. She was willing to give her life in order to protect the rest of the crew...even without a commendation...and she would continue to do it.

She leaned up and kissed him. She let the kiss linger for a moment before pulling back and looking into his eyes again. "I won't let you down."

When they arrived, there were two security there, Nathan and another female guard. The transporter chief was there as well. Thelai materialized. Once he was solid he put his hands behind his back. He looked fairly calm but his bright eyes, not quite as bright as Amara, looked at everyone and seemingly took everything in.

"Welcome to the Enterprise," Kirk said as Thelai exited the transporter pad. "Let's dispense with the pleasantries shall we?" He said as he stepped up to them. "I wish to speak with your science officer heading up this investigation," he said as he looked at Amara. "This is Amara Novak," Kirk introduced. "She will be escorting you and helping you with the investigation," Kirk said then looked over at Amara. "Lieutenant," Kirk said then exited the room.

Thelai smirked as he looked at Amara. Thelai was actually very handsome, even by human standards. He was tall and dark and mysterious. "Amara...suits you," Thelai said as they exited the room together and headed toward the turbolift. "How far you have fallen Saehir," he said in a low tone. The two guards followed at a distance.

It had been years since Amara had last seen Thelai. The last few years she was officially on Romulus, she had been privately tutored so she could focus almost solely on her training. Thelai was actually rather handsome, although not nearly as handsome as James. She knew, however, that she needed to play the game. 

She didn't even glance at James as he left. She kept her eyes on Thelai and he would see her visibly take him in a way that might make him think she liked what she was looking at. They exited the Transporter room together and headed towards the turbolift. They walked side by side and she heard what he said and glanced at him. She now knew that he didn't know about her...or he was pretending like he didn't know the truth. "What you may consider me "falling" I consider sinking my teeth in. I have worked hard to gain their trust," she said softly.

Thelai smirked at what she just said as they walked. "Well, you've had plenty of time," he said. "I commend you on your tolerance. It can't be easy, living with them. These people left you to die, I don't know how you do it," He said as they stepped into the turbolift. "That is not a starfleet uniform...there are rumors you were appropriated by Section 31, is that true?" he asked.

Amara kept a neutral face at what Thelai said, although inside she felt her anger rise momentarily. She looked over at him when he commented on her Section 31 uniform. "Yes, they found my talents to be...useful," she said, as they entered the turbolift. "Main Engineering," she said and the turbolift took them to deck 19. 

In Engineering, Scarlett, Spock, Sofia, and Scotty were all examining the pieces that they had beamed over. Sofia looked rather shocked to see Amara walk in with a Romulan. Scarlett glanced at Spock, but she did not say anything. 

"These are the pieces we beamed over from the ship," she told Thelai.

He looked at Spock and frowned. "A Vulcan...ofcourse," he said. "What have you discovered?" Thelai asked directly. Spock looked at him and then at Amara then back to Thelai. When Amara nodded he raised an eyebrow. "These pieces were separated from the main hull by some kind of cutting beam of a type we've never seen before. All of these pieces were. The ship was dismantled in order to get at the conduits and technology underneath," Spock said.

Thelai already knew this but having Spock tell him, he was now certain. "The beam requires a high energy output," he said. "Send your telemetry to my ship,," he said as if it was just something that would happen. He stepped away from them to look at the next piece of the hull. Scarlett looked At Amara.

Spock would feel a flash of anger from Scarlett when Thelai spoke so disrespectfully to Spock. Amara gave Spock a little nod to let him know he should answer Thelai's question. Amara listened to what Spock said as well. Sofia was practically scowling at Thelai when he then demanded that they send their telemetry to his ship. 

Amara saw Thelai step away to examine the next piece of the hull and she looked over at Scarlett. She nodded to her. Scarlett clearly didn't want to do what this Romulan wanted her too, but she finally sighed and sent the telemetry to his ship. 

Amara walked back over to stand next to Thelai. "Do you have any idea what could have caused this?"

"Not exactly but we do believe it is just one ship. We detected it's warp signature for a time," he said. "The Valara, the ship that was destroyed, had a crew of 392. We recovered 189 of them. With another 148 dead, they carried off 55 Romulans," he said as he reached out and touched the preciseness of the cuts. "Carved up like a piece of Motlkal," he said. The Romulan version of a steak. He turned back to face her.

"I think I've seen all I need to, do you have a...place to eat? I'm hungry and you will take me there," he said in a commanding tone. Scarlett's pale blue eyes were fuming. Amara knew Scarlett was about to assault Thalai but Spock touched her shoulder and she held her place. Just like he had been long ago, so Thelai was now. She saw him stand and move. He knew how to handle himself, he had been formerly trained. And she knew he possessed far superior strength than she did though her Nanobots made up alot of that difference when she needed the added strength.