JP: Lt Cmdr Ukinix and Captain Rahman: Fear Inoculum (Chapter 7, part 2)

[Wil Ukinix]

(( University of Betazed, Medara Campus, Betazed ))

((Flashback: A few months earlier))

Keehani: But don’t you see, Rware?  It doesn’t have to be that way.  The focus should be on Betazed identity, and a level of autonomy.  I know there’s diverse opinions within the Guardians. ::Sigh:: But if we could convince the Houses-

Troirox: ::Hand up:: Stop right there.  They are Federation sympathizers.  Any moves toward independence would have to be without them.

Keehani smiled a little.  Eventually the Guardians would find out that she had lodged a petition with the Reconciliation Forums of Betazed.  But she hadn’t told them yet.  Her friends that were studying legal subjects,  and not members of the Guardians, had helped her with her petition.  In fact, they had been giving her advice since she found out that her grandmother was still a matriarch, albeit in exile.  But she had told them to keep it quiet, so she could tell her fellow Guardians…

Keehani: ::Awkward smile:: Actually, Rware, about that.  ::Gesturing to nearby bench:: ~~ There’s something I should tell you. ~~

Keehani sat on the bench and patted the seat next to her.  Rware, sensing nervousness in her friend, slowly sat next to her while looking at her with a quizzical expression.

Keehani: ~~ You see- ~~

Two words was as far as she got before she was interrupted.

Zaedi: How dare you?

She blinked her eyes a few times in shock at the woman.

Keehani: ::To Tandra:: ~~ And you are? ~~

Zaedi: ::flatly:: Tandra Zaedi, daughter of the Tenth House. Do you really think you are going to get control back of the Ninth House?

Her jaw dropped as she took in a deep breath.  She could feel shock, even some anger from her friend. She reverted to speaking.

Keehani: ::To Rware:: I was going to tell you-

Troirox: You’re a.. a *noble*?!

((End Flashback))

Troirox: You’re a traitor.

Keehani: Traitor? ::Raised voice:: I believe in Betazoid sovereignty as much as you do!  If I can be recognized as a Noble again, the Guardians will be recognized as a genuine political force. We can negotiate independence-

Rware was disgusted by what she was hearing. She cut off Keehani before she could finish.

Troirox: ::with detest as she repeats the word:: “Negotiate?” Have you learned nothing? Our independence must be won. By *any* means necessary.

Keehani: *Not* by using violence, Rware!

Keehani felt herself holding back tears.  She was angry at Rware.

Keehani: You were part of the attack, weren’t you, didn’t you?  That’s why you were at the Forums.

Troirox: ::shaking her head:: Always one step behind and pathetically groveling for approval. From the nobility, from the Federation. ...from us. But you’ll never be a Guardian. And now that you’re the number one suspect, I doubt you’ll get any more help from your precious Nobles.

Keehani clenched her jaw, and shook her head in disgust.

Keehani: You set me up, didn’t you.  You’re Maquis Reborn…

Her voice trailed off.  Fear washed over her.  She ran a hand through her hair, and felt herself shaking.  She closed her eyes.  Everything she had worked hard for - reclaiming the Ninth House, and Betazoid independence - was slipping away from her.

Troirox: I’ve given them a gift really. A perfect excuse to never allow you or your tainted bloodline back into their incestous lot.

Keehani: I hate you!

Keehani lunged forward at Rware with a clenched fist and struck Rware in the side of the head, knocking her down. The other young woman grabbed onto the table to stop her fall, shaking her head a bit before she started laughing.

Keehani: ::Crying, angry:: How could you do this to me!

She left out a line of Betazoid curse words.

Troirox: Oh, typical Keehani. “Me, me, me.”

Keehani: I’m going to the police!  I’m going to tell them everything!

Rware laughed again and gestured to the bruises on her face.

Troirox: Oh? About how you attacked me? After I confronted you and tried to stop you?

Keehani clenched her fists and lunged at Rware again…

Staxi: That’s enough!

… before she was stopped by the detective and a group of police officers, along with the two Starfleet officers from earlier, that had entered the room at that moment.

Staxi: Rware Troirox, you’re under arrest for domestic terrorism and conspiracy. You have the right to choose silence. Anything you say or think can and will be used against you in your trial.

Rware looked at the detective, almost amused, before she gave one final look at Keehani, said nothing, and then was marched off with the two escorting police officers.

Keehani began to sob quietly, before slowly slinking down onto the floor.  Wil made his way over to her, checking on her.

Ukinix: Keehani.

Keehani: ::sobbing, shaking head:: I didn’t do it.  I didn’t do it.  I didn’t…

Her quiet sobbing became louder.

Ukinix: We know you were set up.

Roshanara nodded.

Rahman: A project manager named Jar’sa was arrested earlier today, tied to the Maquis Reborn. Under interrogation, Rware Troirox’s involvement was laid bare.

Wil offered his hand to Keehani to help her up from the floor.

Ukinix: It’s over.

Keehani grabbed Wil’s hand, and let him help her up.  He gave her an awkward smile.

Ukinix: ::Small cheeky smile:: Us Ukinix’s have to stick together.

===

Keehani Ukinix
Exopolitics Student & Member, Guardians of Betazed
University of Betazed, Medara campus
V239511WU0

&

Rware Troirox

Law Student & Member, Guardians of Betazed
University of Betazed, Medara campus
V239511WU0

&

Lieutenant Commander Wil Ukinix
Chief Engineer and Second Officer
USS Veritas
V239511WU0

&

Captain Roshanara Rahman
CO, USS Veritas
I238705TZ0