Voyage Home [Zero/Kaz/T'Koris]

[USS Monongahela]

Leela stood outside the USS Monongahela, the runabout assigned to the Phoenix. Leela was ordered by Captain T'Koris to report to report at 0500 to escort an officer to earth. That was all of the information provided to her. Leela opened the hatch and stepped into the vessel and made her way to the pilots seat. She sat down and began pre-flight sequences while she awaited her traveling companion. Leela couldn't help but to speculate what all of this was about. Usually when a Starfleet Captain skipped details it meant that something very interesting was about to transpire. Whatever was about to take place Kaz was going to have a lot of time to figure it out. Earth was a 39 hour flight. Only 39 hours. She thought as she continued the pre-flight sequences.

What the hell could this be about...

Leela Kaz wrote:

[USS Monongahela]

Leela stood outside the USS Monongahela, the runabout assigned to the Phoenix. Leela was ordered by Captain T'Koris to report to report at 0500 to escort an officer to earth. That was all of the information provided to her. Leela opened the hatch and stepped into the vessel and made her way to the pilots seat. She sat down and began pre-flight sequences while she awaited her traveling companion. Leela couldn't help but to speculate what all of this was about. Usually when a Starfleet Captain skipped details it meant that something very interesting was about to transpire. Whatever was about to take place Kaz was going to have a lot of time to figure it out. Earth was a 39 hour flight. Only 39 hours. She thought as she continued the pre-flight sequences.

What the hell could this be about...

Ghost's claws clicked on the deckplates as he trotted quite happily alongside his master. His master, on the other hand, was definitely not happy. Zero Alpha was silently fuming. When Gavin had been reassigned to another ship, she had known that it was only a matter of time before a communication came through from Starfleet Medical ordering her to return to San Francisco. As expected, it had come through and now she was heading for the shuttle bay to obey those orders.

Spotting a shuttle already prepped on the launch pad, the young Augment made her way towards it, ignoring the few surprised looks she was getting from the personnel assigned to the bay. Seeing the coltish, pale medic walking into the bay was hardly an everyday occurrence.

She stepped into the shuttle, her canine companion jumping up alongside her, always glued to her side. Zero looked to the cockpit, noting the officer already sitting there.

"You are Kaz," she stated flatly.

Zero Alpha wrote:

Ghost's claws clicked on the deckplates as he trotted quite happily alongside his master.  His master, on the other hand, was definitely not happy.  Zero Alpha was silently fuming.  When Gavin had been reassigned to another ship, she had known that it was only a matter of time before a communication came through from Starfleet Medical ordering her to return to San Francisco.  As expected, it had come through and now she was heading for the shuttle bay to obey those orders.

Spotting a shuttle already prepped on the launch pad, the young Augment made her way towards it, ignoring the few surprised looks she was getting from the personnel assigned to the bay.  Seeing the coltish, pale medic walking into the bay was hardly an everyday occurrence.

She stepped into the shuttle, her canine companion jumping up alongside her, always glued to her side.  Zero looked to the cockpit, noting the officer already sitting there.

"You are Kaz," she stated flatly.

Kaz stood up when she sensed another presence in the Runabout. She turned around and smiled and extended her hand in a very customary greeting. "Ah Yes. Ensign Leela Kaz. I was ordered to escort someone to earth. Can I assume that someone is you?" She caught a glimpse of a small companion alongside her new acquaintance. "Aw. And who is your friend?"

Leela Kaz wrote:

Kaz stood up when she sensed another presence in the Runabout. She turned around and smiled  and extended her hand in a very customary greeting. "Ah Yes. Ensign Leela Kaz. I was ordered to escort someone to earth. Can I assume that someone is you?" She caught a glimpse of a small companion alongside her new acquaintance. "Aw. And who is your friend?"

Zero looked at the proffered hand, but ultimately ignored it. She wasn't about to waste any effort in remembering her social skills for someone who was taking her back to Earth. She had already set her mind on hating this gold-shirted officer.

"Affirmative," came the curt reply to Kaz's first question before the Augment looked down at the white German Shepherd sitting patiently at her heel. "This is Ghost."

Zero Alpha wrote:

Zero looked at the proffered hand, but ultimately ignored it.  She wasn't about to waste any effort in remembering her social skills for someone who was taking her back to Earth.  She had already set her mind on hating this gold-shirted officer.

"Affirmative," came the curt reply to Kaz's first question before the Augment looked down at the white German Shepherd sitting patiently at her heel.  "This is Ghost."

The Lieutenant seemed to ignore all of Kaz's polite social cues. "Well the next 39 hours should just fly by!" Kaz muttered. "Well. I hope Ghost is a little more talkative. If you would like to take a seat Lieutenant I am just fishing up the pre-flight sequences." Kaz was finished with pre-flight and signaled the Phoenix for departure. With approval from the bridge Kaz piloted the Runabout from the hanger and set course towards Earth. "39 hours Lieutenant... And counting."

Leela Kaz wrote:

The Lieutenant seemed to ignore all of Kaz's polite social cues. "Well the next 39 hours should just fly by!" Kaz muttered. "Well. I hope Ghost is a little more talkative. If you would like to take a seat Lieutenant I am just fishing up the pre-flight sequences." Kaz was finished with pre-flight and signaled the Phoenix for departure. With approval from the bridge Kaz piloted the Runabout from the hanger and set course towards Earth. "39 hours Lieutenant... And counting."

Looking back over her shoulder as the hatch sealed itself in preparation for departure, a muscle twitched in Zero's jaw before she took the co-pilot's seat. She sat with her back ramrod straight, glaring straight ahead as the stars started to pass them by.

"I do not require updates on our estimated time of arrival," she grumbled. "I am capable of that myself."

While Zero seemed intent on cold-shouldering the young officer, Ghost laid his head on his master's knee. When comfort was not forthcoming from the Augment, he switched to Kaz, looking up at the Trill with imploring eyes.

Zero Alpha wrote:

Looking back over her shoulder as the hatch sealed itself in preparation for departure, a muscle twitched in Zero's jaw before she took the co-pilot's seat.  She sat with her back ramrod straight, glaring straight ahead as the stars started to pass them by.

"I do not require updates on our estimated time of arrival," she grumbled.  "I am capable of that myself."

While Zero seemed intent on cold-shouldering the young officer, Ghost laid his head on his master's knee.  When comfort was not forthcoming from the Augment, he switched to Kaz, looking up at the Trill with imploring eyes.

"Entering warp now." The stars began to speed past the windows. "I've set a cruising speed of warp five." She looked at Zero and saw the expressionless look and noted her poor attitude. "On second thought. Increasing to warp 6." Leela extended her hand to the dog and proceeded to rub behind the animals ear. "So what takes you to Earth?"

Leela Kaz wrote:

"Entering warp now." The stars began to speed past the windows. "I've set a cruising speed of warp five." She looked at Zero and saw the expressionless look and noted her poor attitude. "On second thought. Increasing to warp 6." Leela extended her hand to the dog and proceeded to rub behind the animals ear. "So what takes you to Earth?"

"Orders."

It was apparent that Zero wasn't about to divulge any further information than that. She felt no pressing need to explain the whole sordid story to an inferior being she was going to know for all of a few hours. There was little point in that endeavour. In any case, she was not allowed to tell anyone of her nature. No one but her CMO and her commanding officers were supposed to know.

Ghost, on the other hand, thumped his tail happily against the deck plates at the ear scratching he was receiving.

Zero Alpha wrote:

"Orders."

It was apparent that Zero wasn't about to divulge any further information than that.  She felt no pressing need to explain the whole sordid story to an inferior being she was going to know for all of a few hours.  There was little point in that endeavour.  In any case, she was not allowed to tell anyone of her nature.  No one but her CMO and her commanding officers were supposed to know.

Ghost, on the other hand, thumped his tail happily against the deck plates at the ear scratching he was receiving.

Leela rolled her eyes. "Okay." She muttered. "At least the dog enjoys my company." Leela let a few moments of uncomfortable silence pass. "So is this the plan... 39 hours of you sitting there quietly staring at the walls? If you ask me it's a bad plan." Ever since joining Leela had become quite the social butterfly. Leela was a timid quiet individual. However, once she joined Kaz gave her confidence and she had learned to hate silence.

Leela Kaz wrote:

Leela rolled her eyes. "Okay." She muttered. "At least the dog enjoys my company." Leela let a few moments of uncomfortable silence pass. "So is this the plan... 39 hours of you sitting there quietly staring at the walls? If you ask me it's a bad plan." Ever since joining Leela had become quite the social butterfly. Leela was a timid quiet individual. However, once she joined Kaz gave her confidence and she had learned to hate silence.

Slowly, and with an expression that suggested that she was looking at one of the dimmest, most disgusting creatures in existence, Zero turned her head to look at the Trill in the pilot's seat.

"I see no reason to converse with an inferior being," she stated flatly before returning her gaze to the stars streaking past.

Zero Alpha wrote:

Slowly, and with an expression that suggested that she was looking at one of the dimmest, most disgusting creatures in existence, Zero turned her head to look at the Trill in the pilot's seat.

"I see no reason to converse with an inferior being," she stated flatly before returning her gaze to the stars streaking past.

Kaz was taken back by the rudeness of her traveling companion. "Inferior bing... Inferior being! I thought Federation officers left those kind of prejudices behind centuries ago. How do you get off calling me an inferior being. I am the eighth host of the Kaz symbiont. I am over 419 years old. I have been a fashion designer, a surgeon, a Starfleet Captain, a diplomat and an award winning chef! An your calling me inferior?"

Leela Kaz wrote:

Kaz was taken back by the rudeness of her traveling companion. "Inferior bing... Inferior being! I thought Federation officers left those kind of prejudices behind centuries ago. How do you get off calling me an inferior being. I am the eighth host of the Kaz symbiont. I am over 419 years old. I have been a fashion designer, a surgeon, a Starfleet Captain, a diplomat and an award winning chef! An your calling me inferior?"

This time, Zero didn't even bother to look at Kaz as she replied. She didn't see the point. In fact, she was simply wondering if it would be acceptable to selectively paralyse the Trill's vocal chords. When she replied, she managed to put a significant amount of boredom into her tone with a single word:

"Affirmative."

Zero Alpha wrote:

This time, Zero didn't even bother to look at Kaz as she replied.  She didn't see the point.  In fact, she was simply wondering if it would be acceptable to selectively paralyse the Trill's vocal chords.  When she replied, she managed to put a significant amount of boredom into her tone with a single word:

"Affirmative."

Leela shook her head and focused her eyes on the console. "37 hours at warp 6 Lieutenant.." 37 Hours. The mere thought of it drained her. "Well if this is how this is going to go. I'm going to need something to pass the time. Computer. Play something by T'Mere." Leela smiled to her companion. "One of my favorite Vulcan composers."

Leela Kaz wrote:

Leela shook her head and focused her eyes on the console. "37 hours at warp 6 Lieutenant.." 37 Hours. The mere thought of it drained her. "Well if this is how this is going to go. I'm going to need something to pass the time. Computer. Play something by T'Mere." Leela smiled to her companion. "One of my favorite Vulcan composers."

The addition of music to the strained atmosphere in the shuttle did nothing to alleviate the tension between the Trill and the Augment. Making an effort not to roll her eyes at the other woman, Zero spoke up in a quiet voice.

"Computer, discontinue playback." Whether or not the music was enjoyable to her, Zero had no wish to have to listen to it at that moment in time.

Zero Alpha wrote:

The addition of music to the strained atmosphere in the shuttle did nothing to alleviate the tension between the Trill and the Augment.  Making an effort not to roll her eyes at the other woman, Zero spoke up in a quiet voice.

"Computer, discontinue playback."  Whether or not the music was enjoyable to her, Zero had no wish to have to listen to it at that moment in time.

Leela four the termination of the music to be childish. "Computer resume music." Leela turned back to Zero. "Let's get one thing straight. If you were capable of piloting this craft on your own I wouldn't be here. So you obviously need me. An in case you were unaware... It is polite to be nice to someone when they assist you. So either the music of polite conversation. Your choice Lieutenant."

Leela Kaz wrote:

Leela four the termination of the music to be childish. "Computer resume music." Leela turned back to Zero. "Let's get one thing straight. If you were capable of piloting this craft on your own I wouldn't be here. So you obviously need me. An in case you were unaware... It is polite to be nice to someone when they assist you. So either the music of polite conversation. Your choice Lieutenant."

Turning a particularly dirty glare to Kaz, Zero called for the music to be turned off again. "I choose neither," she snapped. "Even if I were capable of piloting this craft, your presence would still be required to ensure my return to Earth. I know of no obligation to be 'nice' to an individual if they are participants in a scheme that I wish no part in."

Zero Alpha wrote:

Turning a particularly dirty glare to Kaz, Zero called for the music to be turned off again.  "I choose neither," she snapped.  "Even if I were capable of piloting this craft, your presence would still be required to ensure my return to Earth.  I know of no obligation to be 'nice' to an individual if they are participants in a scheme that I wish no part in."

Kaz was struck by one word. Scheme... What the hell is going on here. Kaz thought. She took a moment to gather her silence. Besides she was certain Zero would enjoy a moment. "You called this a scheme? This isn't just a simple personnel transfer is it? Are you going to indulge to this inferior being what's going on here. Because like it or not I'm involved now!"

Leela Kaz wrote:

Kaz was struck by one word. Scheme... What the hell is going on here. Kaz thought. She took a moment to gather her silence. Besides she was certain Zero would enjoy a moment. "You called this a scheme? This isn't just a simple personnel transfer is it? Are you going to indulge to this inferior being what's going on here. Because like it or not I'm involved now!"

"'A simple personnel transfer'?" Zero repeated, snorting derisively. "It is hardly 'a simple personnel transfer'. With the reassignment of Ensign Van Gelder, Starfleet Medical no longer has an individual willing to report to them on my progress. As such, I'm being recalled to play labrat."

She knew that she was giving Kaz more information than was necessary, but at that point, her bitterness was overcoming her common sense and she found that she just didn't care.

Zero Alpha wrote:

"'A simple personnel transfer'?" Zero repeated, snorting derisively.  "It is hardly 'a simple personnel transfer'.  With the reassignment of Ensign Van Gelder, Starfleet Medical no longer has an individual willing to report to them on my progress.  As such, I'm being recalled to play labrat."

She knew that she was giving Kaz more information than was necessary, but at that point, her bitterness was overcoming her common sense and she found that she just didn't care.

Leela was still confused by what she was hearing. Was Starfleet medical experimenting on an officer. Who is in this cockpit with me? Kaz turned back to Zero. "So what does Starfleet Medical need you for?"

Kaz had always been amazed by the information that Starfleet code to keep secretive. Maybe it was because that in her last host she was on the other side. Juval had been a Starfleet Captain and a high level diplomat. She still retained all of that knowledge. Kaz was accustomed to being in the loop and this feeling of ambiguity did not suit her.

Leela Kaz wrote:

Leela was still confused by what she was hearing. Was Starfleet medical experimenting on an officer. Who is in this cockpit with me? Kaz turned back to Zero. "So what does Starfleet Medical need you for?"

Kaz had always been amazed by the information that Starfleet code to keep secretive. Maybe it was because that in her last host she was on the other side. Juval had been a Starfleet Captain and a high level diplomat. She still retained all of that knowledge. Kaz was accustomed to being in the loop and this feeling of ambiguity did not suit her.

Once again, the Augment sneered at her jailer., finally deigning to look around at Kaz with an expression that suggested that she found the Trill to be so far down on the intelligence scale that even a preschooler seemed like Cochrane.

"Why would Starfleet Medical wish anyone to submit to them in such a manner?" she shot back. "They would be delighted to have one of your species serving in such a capacity. Fortunately, you are protected by Federation law."

Zero Alpha wrote:

Once again, the Augment sneered at her jailer., finally deigning to look around at Kaz with an expression that suggested that she found the Trill to be so far down on the intelligence scale that even a preschooler seemed like Cochrane.

"Why would Starfleet Medical wish anyone to submit to them in such a manner?" she shot back.  "They would be delighted to have one of your species serving in such a capacity.  Fortunately, you are protected by Federation law."

The true facts of this mission began to come together, piece by piece, Kaz slowly was putting the puzzle together. It had become apparent to her that she was escorting an individual she was delivering an individual.

"Well of course you have rights. Clearly you are a sentient being? You are a sentient being right? What makes you so special anyway?" So many questions raced through Leela's mind. She began to blurt them out without any relevance given to thought processes or order.

Leela Kaz wrote:

The true facts of this mission began to come together, piece by piece, Kaz slowly was putting the puzzle together. It had become apparent to her that she was escorting an individual she was delivering an individual.

"Well of course you have rights. Clearly you are a sentient being? You are a sentient being right? What makes you so special anyway?" So many questions raced through Leela's mind. She began to blurt them out without any relevance given to thought processes or order.

The Augment sat back in her chair, crossing her legs neatly at the knee. "Sentient? Most certainly. I doubt that I would be sitting here if that was not the case."

She then raised one slender, white eyebrow at the Trill, smirking a little sarcastically. "What makes me special? Attempt an approximation. I will give you a path to follow." The smirk grew slightly. "Care to form a hypothesis upon my species?"

Zero Alpha wrote:

The Augment sat back in her chair, crossing her legs neatly at the knee.  "Sentient?  Most certainly.  I doubt that I would be sitting here if that was not the case."

She then raised one slender, white eyebrow at the Trill, smirking a little sarcastically.  "What makes me special?  Attempt an approximation.  I will give you a path to follow."  The smirk grew slightly.  "Care to form a hypothesis upon my species?"

Leela flashed a smile to Zero. She was as surprised as she was sure Zero was to see a smile come across Leela's face. The smile grew to a chuckle as Leela began to speak. "A game! You really want to play a round of name the species?" Kaz may of been 419 years old but she had never seen anything quite like Zero. "I wouldn't care to hazard guess Lieutenant. Are you going to tell me or will I have to play along?"

Leela Kaz wrote:

Leela flashed a smile to Zero. She was as surprised as she was sure Zero was to see a smile come across Leela's face. The smile grew to a chuckle as Leela began to speak. "A game! You really want to play a round of name the species?" Kaz may of been 419 years old but she had never seen anything quite like Zero. "I wouldn't care to hazard guess Lieutenant. Are you going to tell me or will I have to play along?"

The smirk faded as Zero realised that Kaz was showing the same facial expression. She didn't want to have anything in common with the parasite-ridden woman in the pilot's chair. The pale eyebrow rose again though as she seemed to give up on guessing without even trying.

"I have given you significant indication. A race without rights in the Federation, forbidden."

Zero Alpha wrote:

The smirk faded as Zero realised that Kaz was showing the same facial expression.  She didn't want to have anything in common with the parasite-ridden woman in the pilot's chair.  The pale eyebrow rose again though as she seemed to give up on guessing without even trying.

"I have given you significant indication.  A race without rights in the Federation, forbidden."

Leela pondered Zero's clues. "I can't think of a species that doesn't have right within the federation. Except artificial intelligence but I'm an experienced Engineer. I could identify an artificial lifeform." Leela was truly confused. "I mean I guess you could be genetically enhanced. That would limit your rights." Leela chuckled. "But if that were the case you would be banned from joining Starfleet..."