Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2013 18:29:37 GMT -8
"You dare?!" The rage rose quickly in Esohn. "I do not answer to you," he shouted. "Our own investigation has been finished. The case is closed."
"I know it is, Esohn, but to what depth and in how much detail is unclear."
He gave Ahska a pointed look, then glared at Stetson. "If you want the culprit, you are looking at the wrong Etimonian."
Stetson grinned and shook his head. "An innocent man answers the question with a resounding 'NO.'" He continued. "The guilty man is either more vehement in his denial or obfuscates, avoiding answering the question. I've been in this game a long time, Esohn." Stetson tossed the tricorder from one hand to the other, lifted it up and gestured with it. "I have my answer. I know the truth."
"My hospitality toward you has ended," he said. "Out of respect for the Treaty, and your Ambassador, I will not call the Trahmak...but only if you leave now."
Stetson saw Shahn's gesture and silently agreed. Nothing more could be accomplished here; to continue would only make matters worse. He had the evidence he needed: the tricorder's PSE function had confirmed his suspicions. He went to Ahska.
"Hezak, Ambassador, Ahska," he intoned, "I want to remind you that you have many friends in the Federation, more than you know. The same is true for the Federation here on Etimon," he added, glaring at Esohn. "Be strong. Though I might not be here physically, in spirit and in memory I'm with you always." He kissed her on her cheeks while giving her hands a squeeze.
Grabbing the tricorder, he put it in its pouch while, at the same time, palming a small packet from within, unseen by anyone in the room. After strapping the tricorder into place, he went over to Shahn. It was a massive breach of protocol, he suspected, but since protocol on all sides seemed to have flown out the door, Stetson really didn't give a damn. Besides, it served his purposes.
Taking Shahn's hands, he circumspectly placed the packet in them. "Peace is yours," he said, finishing the Etimonian phrase, hoping Shahn would catch the double meaning. He figured she would; otherwise, he would have taken his chances in trying to give it directly to Ahska. Since all eyes were likely on her and NOT on Shahn, the odds were better this way.
As he left the room, Stetson stopped in front of the man who called himself Vildar. Stetson would be damned if he's use that honorific with Esohn. In a quiet voice with yet the forceful tone that had served him well in conveying the seriousness of his meaning, Stetson spoke. "I did not threaten you, Esohn, when I told you of the Federation's care, concern, and protection of its friends, allies, and personnel. It was a truth, an observation, and a promise, all of which you would do well to remember."
Stetson knew these words would serve to make the Vildar more furious, but they were words that needed to be driven home into Esohn's consciousness.
END: Stetson
"I know it is, Esohn, but to what depth and in how much detail is unclear."
He gave Ahska a pointed look, then glared at Stetson. "If you want the culprit, you are looking at the wrong Etimonian."
Stetson grinned and shook his head. "An innocent man answers the question with a resounding 'NO.'" He continued. "The guilty man is either more vehement in his denial or obfuscates, avoiding answering the question. I've been in this game a long time, Esohn." Stetson tossed the tricorder from one hand to the other, lifted it up and gestured with it. "I have my answer. I know the truth."
"My hospitality toward you has ended," he said. "Out of respect for the Treaty, and your Ambassador, I will not call the Trahmak...but only if you leave now."
Stetson saw Shahn's gesture and silently agreed. Nothing more could be accomplished here; to continue would only make matters worse. He had the evidence he needed: the tricorder's PSE function had confirmed his suspicions. He went to Ahska.
"Hezak, Ambassador, Ahska," he intoned, "I want to remind you that you have many friends in the Federation, more than you know. The same is true for the Federation here on Etimon," he added, glaring at Esohn. "Be strong. Though I might not be here physically, in spirit and in memory I'm with you always." He kissed her on her cheeks while giving her hands a squeeze.
Grabbing the tricorder, he put it in its pouch while, at the same time, palming a small packet from within, unseen by anyone in the room. After strapping the tricorder into place, he went over to Shahn. It was a massive breach of protocol, he suspected, but since protocol on all sides seemed to have flown out the door, Stetson really didn't give a damn. Besides, it served his purposes.
Taking Shahn's hands, he circumspectly placed the packet in them. "Peace is yours," he said, finishing the Etimonian phrase, hoping Shahn would catch the double meaning. He figured she would; otherwise, he would have taken his chances in trying to give it directly to Ahska. Since all eyes were likely on her and NOT on Shahn, the odds were better this way.
As he left the room, Stetson stopped in front of the man who called himself Vildar. Stetson would be damned if he's use that honorific with Esohn. In a quiet voice with yet the forceful tone that had served him well in conveying the seriousness of his meaning, Stetson spoke. "I did not threaten you, Esohn, when I told you of the Federation's care, concern, and protection of its friends, allies, and personnel. It was a truth, an observation, and a promise, all of which you would do well to remember."
Stetson knew these words would serve to make the Vildar more furious, but they were words that needed to be driven home into Esohn's consciousness.
END: Stetson