"When You Expect Them to Zig, They Zag"
[Previous post: "Locket", written by the talented Lisa Mac Isaac]
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Setting: IRRAJ, Royal Palace, Guest Quarters
Lea studied the layout of the room that had been assigned to her while
they waited for the King's decision. At first the CMO had thought that
there had been a mistake. These could not have possibly been *her*
quarters, maybe a reception hall, but not living quarters.
"You pretty much had the same reaction than I did when I say my
quarters," Susan said. The Cns seemed rather pleased with the recent turn of
events, even if it would be only temporary. "The bedroom is beyond
those large double doors," Susan pointed out as she approached her friend.
"You mean behind to *holodeck-doors*?" Lea asked as she glared at the
two massive metal doors that her friend had pointed to.
"Just wait until you try to open them. They are beyond heavy," Susan
chuckled. "One thing for sure, none of us will be doing any *sleepwalking* while we are here. Well at least not you and me. David and Uxtar might be able to open those doors without any problems even in their sleep."
Lea, with some help from her friend, pushed one of the large metal
doors open to reveal the exquisite bedroom. The colours and textures were
vibrant and beyond glamorous with sculptures and mirrors lining every
walls. "Why would *anyone* want to sleepwalk out of a room like this?"
Lea gasped. In all of her years the archaeology enthusiast had never
seen anything so beautiful. "I would be happy to stay in this room for
the rest of my life," Lea added as she traced the frame of one of the
paintings with her fingers.
"Ensign Mei," Serenna said as she too stepped into the CMO's quarters.
"May I have a word with you?"
Susan nodded her head and left her friend in bemused stupor as Lea
continued to study the intricate carvings on the golden frame.
"Yes Commander," Susan replied as she glanced to her friend to insure
that all had been well.
"Your impressions on our host," Serenna asked point blank. The ANUBIS'
ExO had never been one to mince words or to go around the bush when she
could help it.
"Cautious and self assured," Susan replied as she recalled the King's
posture and gestures back in the Throne Room. "Why, is there a
problem?"
"None. Other than Admiral Koniki and Commodore Simmons having told us
that all had been arranged. Both Sabrina and I feel that something is
amiss. The Admiral had set up the kidnapping threats against the
Princess to make our presence here *necessary* and welcomed. Now the King
is *considering* our aid, a gesture which contradicts what we had been
told," Serenna explained ignoring the dazed CMO.
"Maybe someone else has beaten us to the punch and offered the King and
Princess their *services*," Lea said from across the room. Despite
having been enthralled by the charms of her quarters, the CMO had still
been listening to the discussion.
"Counsellor, what do you think?" Serenna asked as she returned her
inquisitive eyes onto Susan. The Cns could see that the ExO had been
searching for some sort of confirmation or for another explanation. Given
what she had seen and heard though, Susan could only nod her approval of
Lea's theory.
Without saying anything more, but visibly looking upset, Serenna left
the CMO and Cns to their admiring of the room.
"I don't think Serenna was overly pleased," Susan said as she rejoined
her friend who had not stopped admiring the golden frame that had
caught her attention.
"For good reason," Lea sighed as she turned to look at Susan. "It
means that the Admiral's fears were justified. There is someone on IRRAJ
and they have already made their way to the King before us. That means
that this mission is going to be a lot less peaceful than we had hoped
it would be."
Susan again nodded, slowly, saddly, letting her disappointment and
concerns show openly for her friend to see.
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Lt. J.G. Lea Summers 2006 post #191
Stardate: 61014.1530
Tiffany Rose {lady_tiffany_rose@mail.com}
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
