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:: is putting the finishing touches on Grey’s makeup, quiet and focused ::

:: in sickbay, sitting rather melancholically as she receives her makeup ::

:: moved back to the Captain, double checking her work and touching up the ears ::

:: is on the bridge on her chair, gazing at the familiar image of the planet on the main viewer from orbit ::

:: offers a slight smile as she does quite like the ears ::

:: sitting at her station at the bridge, shoulders somewhat slumped and faint shadows under her eyes - it was a long night of arguing her fervent beliefs, and she didn't sleep well to boot ::

:: at the helm, monitoring their orbital parameters and also running a remote diagnostic on the Rocinante's systems ::

:: looks the others over, gives her approval, then sits down for Tailor to do her face ::

::Sits quietly at his station, monitoring things that way he does.::

:: stands and checks her dress and accessories in the mirror ::

:: flips somewhat listlessly through scan data, distracted by her thoughts; still doesn't understand how this is even a debate, as it seems perfectly clear to her, but at least has accepted Kate's insistence that her stance is not the reason she was pulled from the away team ::

:: stands, checking her dress briefly before moving to stand by the door ::

:: sits dutifully for her own transformation, then gets up and joins the others ::

MED/TAC2: All set, then?

CO: Yes ma'am.

:: pats down her dress :: CO: Aye.

:: checks her side console, it still being early in the shift and she's checking on things, then glances at Wright, the debate from last night still very fresh in her mind ::

:: pins on the hidden commbadge and nods to the mirror, then heads out the door with Grey and Acacia ::

:: follows behind the Captain ::

+XO+ Harper to Kuari.

:: follows at Harper's heels, keeping her expression serious ::

+CO+ Kuari here.

+XO+ Locate Dr. Jahaja and contact her if she is alone. We are ready to beam down.

+CO+ Understood.

:: smiles to the person on transporter duty, stepping onto the pad ::

CSO: Commander, scan for Dr. Jahaja.

:: nods to the person on transporter duty, moving onto the pad ::

:: shakes herself out of her thoughts :: XO: Aye, Commander. Scanning...

:: makes polite small-talk with the TRC, asking about how their dog is doing that she remembered from last time ::

XO: She appears to be in her residence with her child, Commander.

CSO: Is there anyone else there?

XO: Aside from her child? No.

:: nods to herself :: CSO: Open communication to her combadge, please.

:: taps, and then turns to nod at Kuari ::

:: nods back ::

:: hears the distinct chirping of the combadge, surprised, and pats her son's head before quickly moving to the other room and tapping it :: +Atlantis+ Hello? I'm here.

:: still chatting with the TRC while they wait, but her mind is elsewhere ::

:: asks to see the TRC’s dog some time ::

+Bunim+ Dr. Jahaja, this is Commander Kuari on Atlantis. Captain Harper will be beaming down shortly. Please be ready.

:: takes in a deep breath :: +Kuari+ All right. I'll be ready.

+Bunim+ Atlantis out.

TRC> :: is quite pleased that people are taking an interest! ::

:: closes the channel ::

+CO+ Bridge to Harper. Dr. Jahaja will be ready.

+XO+ Thank you, Commander. We are beaming down now. :: steps up on to the pad ::

TRC: Energize.

ACTION> The away team shimmers away.

SCENE> The away team materializes a short walk from Bunim's family home, on a sunny, but windy morning. The sea breeze is warm, though, as the dew glistens in the soft golden light, and the crashing of waves can be heard in the distance.

:: looks out over the waves for a moment as they materialize, giving a soft sigh ::

:: takes a deep breath of the fresh air, enjoying it, along with the wind in her hair, which is down instead of in her usual on-duty updo ::

:: barely looks out over the waves, before turning to follow Harper ::

TRC> :: goes back to being alone ::

:: begins the trudge toward Jahaja’s home ::

:: sighs and waits ::

:: starts walking with her two officers, trying to plan what she is going to say ::

:: senses Harper’s stress and catches up to give her shoulder a squeeze, and offer an encouraging glance ::

:: falls into pace with the captain, sighing ::

:: looks back at Acacia with an expression of gratitude ::

ACTION> A few minutes later, the away team reaches Dr. Jahaja's home.

:: paces in front of her doorway, then catches sight of them and stops, watching their approach with a small polite smile ::

:: stands resolute behind Harper, stiff ::

:: takes a step back slightly, expression unreadable and stiff ::

Dr. Jahaja, good morning. :: thankful that the makeup conceals her lack of sleep ::

CSO: Hey, Commander... ::: glances over at Lexy :: that seismic stress isn't going to go off with them down there, is it?

CO: Good morning. :: looks to Grey and Acacia as well, trying to quickly read their expressions, and offers them a slightly wider smile :: Come inside? It's a bit windy this morning.

:: nods to Bunim :: Yes, thank you. After so much time aboard ship, the wind is refreshing, but we do need to talk, so inside would be best.

:: glances to Harper for a signal, then follows inside ::

:: looks over at Navarro and blinks as her tired brain needs a moment to process what he said :: NAV: Oh... no, from what I saw in the scans, I don't think the danger is imminent.

:: leads the three into her home, attempting to look calm but fiddles with things unnecessarily after closing the door ::

CSO: That's good news, thank you. :: still keeps the AT signals up in the corner of a panel, watching over them ::

CO: Our son is in the back room...but it's just us. You can speak freely.

:: folds her hands, waiting before showing any emotion ::

:: moves to lean against the wall, watching Bunim carefully ::

Thank you, Dr. Jahaja — Bunim. :: takes a deep breath and starts to talk :: I will get right to it, then. Your situation was a cause for great debate.

:: bobs her head lightly in agreement ::

The regulations on former Section 31 operatives were written in a panic, out of paranoia after what happened.

:: nods and presses her lips together, hugging her arms as she otherwise doesn't know what to do with her hands ::

They are less of a concern to me at the moment than the risk of contamination of this society... along with its gene pool.

You do seem to be making a genuine effort to mask your true nature and blend in here, and I see no evidence that you are using your advanced knowledge to gain undue influence.

:: shifts a bit, uncomfortable ::

:: shakes her head in agreement, but doesn't speak, not wanting to interrupt ::

:: barely moves slightly, listening carefully ::

:: steeples her fingers and closes her eyes for a moment, leaning her head forward slightly to touch her nose against her hands while letting out a long breath ::

:: opens her eyes and meets Bunim's ::

The regulations say that you, and your son, should be removed from this place.

:: takes a deep breath and unintentionally holds it ::

But I did not join Starfleet to break up families. Those regulations must be interpreted with heart when the situation demands it, and my heart tells me that you are sincere in your desire to move on to a new life, living among these people as one of them.

:: exhales slowly through a surprised face ::

:: exhales quietly ::

:: loses composure slightly, grimacing in relief at finally having the beginnings of an answer to what her fate will be, and nods hurriedly in agreement, and attempts to school her face again but still makes sure to look grateful ::

I will not disclose your prior affiliation, but your presence here will be monitored by a visit from an occasional ship to check in from orbit, just to be sure that no contamination of their society has happened. They will only contact you if they have questions.

Beyond that... :: offers a smile as she drops her hands to her side :: Enjoy your life here.

:: watches Harper now, still visibly surprised ::

:: glances to Harper carefully, before looking back to Bunim ::

:: nods along, eyes riveted to Harper's, then breaks eye contact in thought. Starfleet will check in on her, and she won't even know? Then again, that's fair. How could she expect anything less, after being discovered? As long as she lives her life and doesn't do anything too important, she will be fine. Her family will be fine. She nods again and smiles, taking another deep breath :: CO: Thank you. That is...more than fair. You could have removed me, from what you say, but I really do want to just live in peace, with my family. I...will wear this broach always, just in case. :: looks to Grey and Acacia ::

:: shakes her head :: Actually, I will need to take that back with us. We cannot risk the technology being discovered. :: extends an open hand ::

:: gives Bunim an awkward nod ::

CO: Oh! :: unfastens the broach and immediately hands it over. So, she will be contacted the old-fashioned way. :: That's good, though, one less thing for me to lose! I will just...possibly see someone like I did you.

:: takes the brooch and taps it once to ensure it is the correct one, then nods to Bunim :: Exactly.

:: looks between the two, managing a small but uncomfortable smile ::

:: nods again and smiles genuinely at all three :: AT: Thank you. I'm sorry if I was any trouble but...thank you. I hope you enjoyed seeing the village with me. I loved showing it to you.

:: gives Bunim a slight nod, moving closer to the door ::

:: manages even more of a smile, remembering the market ::

I had a wonderful time here, despite the dilemma you put me in. Thank you, Bunim, and I wish you and your family good fortune.

:: bows her head as they prepare to leave ::

:: opens the door and walks out into the lovely morning, taking another deep breath of the sea breeze, and turns to look back at the house ::

:: follows along, not sure what to say, but also somehow relieved. ::

:: runs into the back room and hugs her bewildered but receptive child ::

:: follows Harper, not sure what to say, but knows to not say anything ::

:: taps her commbadge :: +Atlantis+ Harper to Atlantis. Three to beam up.

:: stands up straight ::

:: ...three? She schools herself to some semblance of calm... this doesn't mean anything yet. She taps the button to energize. ::

ACTION> The away team disappears, returning to Atlantis in a shimmer.

:: appears on the pad looking serious ::

:: taps her hidden commbadge ::+XO+ Harper to Kuari.

:: is ready to get back into her usual uniform, and looks to Harper ::

: :nods to Grey and Acaca :: To sickbay to get out of makeup and costume, yes.

:: nods, leading the charge towards sickbay ::

+Harper+ Kuari here.

:: grins happily and follows to get the makeup and costume off, ready to get into normal uniform ::

+XO+ We are back aboard. Resume the survey of the planets in this star system.

:: walks up the path toward home carrying a sack of fish ::

+CO+ Understood.

:: begins work cleaning up the others ::

:: sits down in sickbay and waits to be put back to herself ::

:: works more quickly having done this before, and has the Captain’s makeup off in no time. She moves on to Grey ::

CSO: Time for more science. :: offers a small smile, assuming Wright overheard the comm ::

MED: Thank you.

:: has become very quiet and appears to be completely calm :: XO: ...............Aye, Commander.

CO: No problem. :: she muses, running the light over Grey’s ears to erase the extra ::

NAV: Mr. Navarro, move us out of orbit. Resume course from our previous route.

MED: Thank you.

XO: Sí, Commander. :: sets a course for the ringed gas giant and engages the warp drive ::

:: nods :: TAC2: You’re welcome. :: and sits down for Tailor to clean up her face ::

MED/TAC2: I will see you two on the bridge.

::Just stays quiet, and tries to ignore the emotions he can feel all around him.::

:: waves as the Captain makes her exit ::

:: exits sickbay and makes a quick stop by their quarters ::

:: nods, giving a quiet farewell to Acacia, before exiting sickbay as well to head to her quarters to change and pull her hair back up ::

:: sits patiently while her makeup is removed, then heads out on the same path the others took. ::

:: sheds the dress and decides not to keep it after all, dropping it into the recycler ::

:: diverts her attention forward, but can't help feeling nervous, waiting for Harper's arrival on the bridge ::

:: then pulls on a uniform and puts her hair into her usual captainly updo ::

:: changes back into her uniform, taking a moment to check up on her pets and give both Vinny and Apollo brief head pats ::

:: also drops Bunim's commbadge into the recycler with the rest of the accessories she made ::

:: then, after a Picard maneuver in the mirror to see that she's put back together, she heads for the bridge ::

:: heads up to the bridge, taking her station with little noise ::

:: fixes up her hair so it’s at least unable to get into her face, then heads out the door for the turbolift ::

:: enters the TL and finds Acacia already in it, nods in greeting and rides the rest of the way up ::

:: returns the nod, folding her hands behind her back and waiting for the doors to open ::

:: exits the turbolift and walks briskly to her chair :: XO: Report, Commander?

:: sits at her usual station, checking in at the console ::

:: smiles and straightens her neck as Harper enters :: CO: We have resumed our previous course.

XO: Thank you. :: doesn't take her seat yet, but looks around the bridge ::

:: drops the ship out of warp at the ringed gas giant ::

:: gives Harper her full attention ::

Bridge: I made the decision to leave Dr. Jahaja behind.

:: laser-focused on doing her job, initiates preliminary scans of the gas giant and its majestic ring system ::

:: keeps her head down ::

Bridge: My report will indicate a careful analysis of her attempts to avoid cultural and societal contamination, and a conclusion that she has been successful.

Bridge: Starfleet will respond with a monitoring check-in visit to ensure that situation does not change.

:: takes a deep breath :: Bridge: What my report will not contain will be her previous affiliation.

:: doesn’t look up, still not sure what to feel about this ::

::Nods at the captain, before turning back to his console.::

:: listens, taking it in ::

Bridge: In the Section 31 crisis, I learned that people were not necessarily completely defined by that label. Good people joined it because they believed in that cause, just as I joined Starfleet because I believe in its cause.

:: nods, listening slowly::

:: feels sick to her stomach ::

:: is Kate, her Kate, really asking the entire crew to lie for her in order to protect a potential criminal? ::

Bridge: In the end, I did not believe it right to tear apart a family, or uproot it, in the service of either petty vengeance, or nebulous potential future ill effects.

:: is uncomfortable, but keeps it to herself aside from her face ::

Bridge: Any of you could report this. If you do, I will face whatever punishment the Admiralty sees fit, and I will do so firm in my belief that I did the right thing.

:: concludes, with disgust, that Kate must have just not listened to her at all when she argued that they had no proof that this woman was who she said she was other than her word ::

Bridge: That report would also destroy three lives on that planet, though, so take that into account.

:: shrinks a bit in her seat, still not sure how to feel ::

::Frowns, looking over in the direction of science, before silently turning back.::

Bridge: That is all I have to say on the matter, but feel free to speak to me privately if you have concerns.

:: looks around at others on the bridge when Harper finishes ::

:: surveys the bridge and takes her seat ::

:: understands the Captain, and doesn't feel uncomfortable about what she was being asked to do, turning to her station quietly ::

:: seems withdrawn, keeping eyes on her station ::

:: realization dawns that Kate has put her in the position of having to report her own wife ::

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