Star Trek: Erin

Part 49: The Fight

     Occolum's dressy robe was a deep gold with intricate brown detailing. On each of their ring fingers was a band that glinted as they waved their hands, talking to Calderra. They looked nice, but I was mostly preoccupied by the ambassador's fucking casual reappearance. I wished I had my ensigns to cover the exits while I approached Occolum. Damn, I need to call them. Get Occolum safe first.

     "Ambassador Occolum?" I pasted a grin on my face. "What are you doing?"

     They looked at me. A flash of something passed over their face. "Junior lieutenant, we are glad you have made it." Calderra dipped his head. His robe was of a similar style, but decorated much brighter in blue and red and white.

     'Made it?' With all respect, I've been f—worried. We've all been worried. You just—"

     Occolum drew close. "Apologies for my swift departure, I too was worried. For Calderra."

     I tensed. "Is something going to happen? Your ability saying things again?"

     "I sensed altercations that I believed were centred on Calderra, but they were not."

     "Who then?"

     "The Vulcan and Tellarite ambassadors."

     I saw them leaving. Huh. "Right, well, I'm going to call in Leong and Klove. We were looking for you." My heart was still pounding. So that's it? I flipped open my communicator. "Found them at the reception. Leong, meet us here. Klove, take a position near the turbolift on our deck. Over."

     "On our way."

     "Fabulous. Out." I put it away. "Is the plan to stay here?"

     Occolum and Calderra exchanged a look. I got the feeling there was a lot of history between them, not all good, but not all bad either. "Tomorrow," said Calderra.

     Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Leong enter the reception. Occolum turned to me. "You may escort me back to my room. I have had quite enough excitement for this evening."

     God yes. Leong joined us. "Ma'am?"

     "Heading out. You take vanguard."

     We departed the reception, earning nods from security, and made our way without incident. Until we reached the turbolift. A redshirt I recognized as Lieutenant Josephs was already within, looking a little disturbed. He took in Leong and I, Occolum in tow, and leaned in. "If you can, avoid Ambassador Sarek for now. He's suspected to have killed the Tellarite ambassador."

     That blindsided me. I blinked twice and dropped my voice to match his. "Gav's dead? I just saw him and—shit. Saw Sarek around the same time." I ran through who was assigned to the Tellarite detail but couldn't remember.

     Josephs nodded. "I had an errand first, but we are going to speak with him soon. Just stay alert and call in if you see him. We don't know for sure if he..."

     "Yeah, thanks." I glanced at Leong, who was being amazing and distracting Occolum with some light conversation. "We'll do our best, sir."

     The turbolift stopped and all of us disembarked, the lieutenant going in the same direction as us at a jog. He disappeared around the curving hallway.

     Leong shot me a 'what's going on' look, which I returned with my best 'stay alert, tell you later' look.

     "Ma'am." Klove was waiting in an alcove for us.

     Swish, went the turbolift doors behind us. I glanced over my shoulder. Ice raced down my back. Slowly, I moved to stand in front of Occolum, giving a tense nod to the Vulcan ambassador who had just arrived.