LtCmdr Kettick: You know, I don't think I have ever burned a whole city before

[Darwin Awkward]

((Power Chamber 2, Deck 742-Beta, Voth Generation Ship Igirni))

Kettick:  Lieutenant Stapledon, would technology capable of creating stable wormholes on demand be able to produce these kinds of readings on your tricorder? 

The Voth Chief Engineer's head immediately snapped up. Yes, that had been Kettick's general reaction as well.

Stapledon: Response 

The Remmilian was still looking at his screen, head tilted sideways in puzzlement.

Kettick: I am not a scientist by any means, and astrophysics is not one of my strong subjects. But I just linked up with Igirni's sensors, and the huge ship that appears to have just closed the white hole is giving me cause to wonder, is all.

Xarrin sighed.

Xarrin: So, the secret is out. ::He pressed a button on the console and opened a channel:: =/\= This is Xarrin. Energise. =/\=

The Remmilian's hand flew to his tool belt as a squad of heavily armed Voth materialised around them, a second before the three of them were beamed away.

((Transporter Pad, Voth City ship, Delta Quadrant))

Foreign transporter pad? Check.

Heavily armed Voth guard detail? Check.

Weapons pointed on them? Check.

The dead man's switch he'd had in his hand when they teleported? No joy.

He approved of the security measures, less of the fact that they had just cost him a major ace-in-the-hole.

Oh, and Xarrin was putting his hands up. Sensible man.

Still a traitor.

Xarrin: I am Xarrin.

One of the massive slabs of muscle and scales nearby seemed satisfied by the Chief Engineer's ability to state the obvious, and lowered his weapon before stepping forward.

Voth: Clearly. I am Tobrak, Security Advisor to the Minister. ::pointing at Kettick and Stapledon:: And they are?

Mostly nonplussed.

Xarrin: They are Starfleet. From the records you sent me, I understand you’ve encountered them before.

Kettick: Lieutenant-Commander Kettick, Starfleet. Green-Two-Three-Nine-One-Zero-Seven-Lima-Red-Zero.

Stapledon: Response.

Xarrin: They answered the distress call. They did not come here to fight.

The newly-identified Tobrak did not seem convinced. Perhaps because of the whole dead man's switch bit.

Tobrak: Perhaps. The Minister will know what to do with them. Come.

He turned and strode away. His escort of armed Security personnel were rather good at nonverbal communication, and gave them the general impression that they should follow.

Or else.

Xarrin: ::quietly, to Kettick and Stapledon as they walked:: You were correct. The anomaly was artificially created, as were the reactor troubles. All of it was a part of a plan to bring the Igirni back to the Delta Quadrant. ::short pause:: I’m sorry you were dragged into this, but you will be several orders of magnitude safer here with me than aboard the Igirni.

Kettick's answer was as atonal as ever, but the delivery was dry enough to make Vulcan look like an ocean world.

Kettick: One wishes you could extend the same consideration to the rest of the people that have been left behind.

From both crews.

Stapledon: Response.

Xarrin: Why? That is a question the Minister is best placed to answer…

The Remmilian did not care for the why. 

Xarrin and his co-conspirators had betrayed their own Unity. That was despicable, but the Remmilian hardly cared in the end. Aliens did as aliens do.

But in doing so, he had betrayed and endangered *Kettick's* Unity. Exposed them to harm, using a false pretense and their good nature. Falt and his team could have died in that explosion. For all he knew, people had been irradiated due to the "reactor troubles" the Voth had manufactured. Or injured or killed during their little civil war.

That? That could not be forgiven. No matter the "why".

Their escort pushed open a pair of gaudy doors, and the prisoners, because that was what they were, followed.

Tobrak: Minister. I present Xarrin and Starfleet.

Xarrin bowed low in front of the Voth behind the desk. 

Xarrin: Minister. I am Xarrin. I have delivered the Igirni as agreed.

Minister: Response

The Remmilian simply stood at parade rest, gaze straight ahead.

Kettick: Lieutenant-Commander Kettick, Starfleet. Green-Two-Three-Nine-One-Zero-Seven-Lima-Red-Zero. We have responded to the Igirni's distress signal. :: He pointedly turned his compound eyes towards Xarrin :: In good faith.

Stapledon: Response

Minister/Xarrin: Response

The Chief Engineer, the one in the room still worthy of the title, shook his head sharply.

Kettick: I am not a duly appointed representative of Starfleet. My Captain, his First Officer and our diplomatic envoy are still on the Igirni.

And he would see them safe.

Or he did not care how much time, efforts and hardship it took but he would make sure these Voth would not be a menace to another crew.

Tags/TBC

--

Lieutenant-Commander Kettick

Chief of Engineering

USS Eagle-A

G239107LR0

Your Engineering department kindly reminds you that you are supposed to read the flakking manual.