Zorkal/Trovek/Tito - Path of the Prophets - Gone Missing

[Arys Trovek]

((Hotel, Bajor))

Arys smiled as she, upon packing the last if her things into a travel-crate, made her way to the kitchen and saw Lukin preparing the traditional Bajoran dessert Geleth had taken a liking to. It was something Lukin likely hadn’t tried cooking before, and the Cardassian seemed so invested in the flawless execution that Arys had high hopes of actually being able to sneak up at him. 

Her footsteps were silent, and-...

Zorkal: I’m afraid you still have much to learn.

So much for sneaking up on him. 

Trovek: It’s the thought that counts, right? ::she smiled positioned herself next to him, stealing a piece of fruit from the bowl he was preparing:: I do wonder - has anyone ever successfully snuck up on you? 

Lukin patted the dough which would eventually turn into layers that would be interspersed with varying amounts of cream and fruit. His gaze slid away from it and he began to split the dough into smaller balls of the same size even while looking upon the woman beside him. 

Zorkal: Perhaps. 

Trovek: And they lived? 

Zorkal: I think you know the answer to that question.

The dough balls were set down upon the counter, a line of four all in a row, all exact spheres as fashioned by his hands. Turning to the stove, there were three pots, each with a different concoction of fruits and spices, moba the most pungent among them. 

Arys sighed, and decided that this was one of the many things she didn’t need additional information on. Something about plausible deniability. 

Trovek: Maybe next time…

Zorkal: You are welcome to keep trying, but the outcome will be the same.

As much as he loved Arys, that was not one of the skills she possessed. 

Trovek: Fine. ::another sigh:: I suppose I might as well give up on it. 

Not like she was going to do that, but it was better than having him, once again, list all the ways in which she would have failed Cardassian military training, and her telling him that yes, she was a doctor, not an assassin. 

Picking up the dishes, Lukin carefully coated them with a layer of aduba oil, then flattened out one of the dough balls, pressing it and guiding it firmly over the bottom. 

Zorkal: Once this is put together, I’ll put it in the oven, but the rest of the dinner is ready. Ferri said they would be back by 1800 hours.

Two minutes. So any time. 

Trovek: I am still not sure how happy I am with the fact that Geleth likes the temple so much. Or anything Bajoran for that matter. 

Taking one of the pots, Lukin slowly poured the contents over the dough and made sure that it was even throughout. 

Zorkal: It’s part of Geleth’s heritage. And yours.

Trovek: I suppose so. It still makes me uncomfortable. 

Lukin set down the pot and took a bowl in which cream had been whipped up with sweetener and spices. This was poured atop the fruit in a thinner layer, and then set aside. The next ball was flattened out on the counter, and then carefully placed over the cream. Another layer of different fruit, then cream, then repeat with a layer of dough on the top. Finally, this was placed in the oven, and then Lukin straightened and motioned toward the warmer. 

Zorkal: Let’s get the food on the table. 

Arys nodded, helping him to carry the food over to the table in the dining area. Four plates sat ready to be filled with the meals Lukin had prepared.

Trovek: All I am saying is that it’s a little ironic that you will have to be the one taking her to the temple we have back on One-Eighteen since I certainly will not be doing so. 

Setting the largest dish in the middle, Lukin made sure it was placed just so, then glanced over at Arys again. 

Zorkal: Is it really that ironic?

He smirked a bit, then frowned and looked over at the chrono. Five minutes after. 

Zorkal: They’re not here. 

Arys followed his gaze. He was, of course, correct. 

Trovek: I think we can forgive a little delay. 

Forgive? Yes. But Ferri had never been late before. Lukin nodded slightly. The containers would keep the food warm, but it still wasn’t like her.

Zorkal: I suppose.

So he would wait. And he did wait. Five minutes turned to ten. Ten, to fifteen. Fifteen to twenty. For some, such a discrepancy wouldn’t be a concern, but for Lukin, it bothered him. 

Zorkal: They should have been here by now.

Trovek: They should. 

Arys was a lot more lenient than Lukin was, but once the delay stretched to thirty minutes, she too was getting concerned. 

Zorkal: It’s not like Ferri.

Trovek: It’s not. I agree. 

Just as she looked at the door as if willing Ferri and Geleth to show up, someone rang the doorbell. Arys strode towards the door - perhaps the girls’ ID bracelets had already been deactivated and the door no longer opened upon their arrival - and opened. 

In front of her stood not Ferri, but the Andorian she had seen Ferri with before. Lukin stood as he realised that the arrival was not who either of them expected. The young woman bowed politely, her posture indicating some sort of military background.

Sh’quellel: Sir, Ma’am. ::she inclined her head:: I hope I do not interrupt. 

Coming around from his position at the table, Lukin crossed over to the door in a quick motion and drew behind Arys

Zorkal: Who are you?

Sh’quellel: Crewman Sh’quellel. I was wondering if Miss Emlott is available.

Zorkal: She is not. 

He paused, and though he had a feeling he knew the answer, Lukin asked anyway. 

Zorkal: Has she been in contact with you?

Sh’quellel: Yes sir. I last saw her a few hours ago. I had asked to accompany her back to the Narendra once she had visited the temple, but she did not show up. 

That was even more worrisome. Lukin glanced at Arys, then turned and strode further back into the apartment. Like all the others who had joined the Starfleet officers, he’d been given a badge. Picking it up, he tapped it to establish a connection. 

Zorkal: =/\=Ambassador Zorkal to Lieutenant Tito.=/\=

Tito: =/\= Tito here

Zorkal: =/\=Would you please come to my quarters? It is a matter of great urgency.=/\=

There was no way he was going to discuss this matter over a communications connection. 

Tito: =/\=On my way Ambassador. Tito out 

With that, he turned to Arys and the Andorian woman, his face stony, jaw set, but said not a word. Arys turned to the crewman. 

Trovek: Miss Sh’quellel, as you can see we have a … situation. I am sure Ferri will get back to you once she returns.

The Andorian nodded, bowed again, and left, leaving Arys and Lukin alone, waiting for Tito’s arrival. 

Trovek: Do you believe something happened to them? 

Did he? That was an interesting question. Lukin couldn’t say for certain that something *had*, but the very fact that Ferri was late and had not shown up for a meeting with someone indicated something was amiss. 

Zorkal: At this time I can not entertain exactly what has occurred. It’s unusual. Perhaps nothing is the matter, but I would rather be cautious. 

And was he going to communicate his worry to Arys? No. He already knew how she felt, and his own would remain behind a wall of calm decisiveness. To others, his quick decision to seek them out might seem like panic - but then again, those who thought so likely weren’t Cardassian. 

Arys nodded. She was worried, but she also knew that being overly emotional wouldn’t serve either of them. And so she handled it like any situation in sickbay. Her features revealed none of the thoughts racing through her mind, and the emotions she was feeling were set aside. 

Or maybe she just opted not to show them with Lukin around, who had such complete mastery over his. 

Trovek: We have the Narendra to assist, should it be needed. 

There was a slight uptick of his chin. He knew that, but unlike the Starfleet officers, Ferri and Geleth would not be as easily found. Still, he would not refuse assistance. 

There was another chime at the door. Arys rushed over, opening it perhaps a little too quickly, and was visibly disappointed when it wasn’t Geleth and Ferri, but Tito who was standing outside. 

Tito: Hello.

Trovek: Come inside. ::she sighed, closing the door behind him:: 

Zorkal: Lieutenant.

Lukin inclined his head to the man politely, and Tito also nodded and looked at Arys, then Lukin.

Tito: Ambassador. Is there something wrong?

Zorkal: Ferri and Geleth left on an outing together and were to return here sixty minutes ago. 

And obviously, they had not shown up. 

Trovek: We know that they were last seen a few hours ago, heading to the temple. 

Half an hour hardly seems like a grand delay. But there was concern in their eyes, so this might not be just a case of Geleth and Ferri straying from their path and arriving late at home.

Tito: Do you know where they were going? 

Trovek: ::hissing:: I just told you that they were on their way to the temple. 

Arys shot Lukin a glance, and took a deep breath to calm herself down. Putting emotions aside or not, she had never been good at tolerating redundant questions, and the current situation didn’t help with that.

Lukin allowed himself a rare indulgence and placed a gentle hand upon her shoulder for a brief moment. 

Zorkal: That was the original destination. 

Tito’s mind began to run the possibilities. He wrinkled his forehead, as his expression sobered.

Tito: I think we should go and search for them. Starting in where they were last seen. What do you think?

He asked them both, he was fairly certain neither of them was going to sit idly, waiting for Geleth and Ferri.

Trovek: That was my suggestion, yes. We-... ::to Lukin:: you should head to the temple. I will be waiting here. 

Despite all, she wasn’t going to set foot into that place, and someone needed to be here when Ferri and Geleth showed up. 

Zorkal: Agreed. Tito, what do you suggest?

Tito: Ferri asked to keep the badge, but it’s deactivated. I can try to activate it, but I need access from the Narendra. 

Trovek: Then do that. ::she nodded:: 

Zorkal: You’ll let us know if they return.

Arys nodded once more and watched the two men leave together. She knew that Tito would need some time to make it back to the Narendra, and Lukin would need some time to make his way to the temple. And she? She would have to wait here.

*************************

Dalin Lukin Zorkal
Cardassian Ambassador
Starbase 118 Ops
M239008AD0

and

Lt. Trovek Arys
Chief Medical Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
J239809TA4

and

Lt. J. G. Vitor R.S.Tito
Intelligence Officer
Starbase 118
O238907VS0