ST:SoD008 | "Regulation"

Stardate [redacted]

The Latenter crew continue their journey, cautiously approaching the territory of the fickle Regulators.

---

View Episode

T'Lana@anncarise rings the doorbell.

Mischa@crystyll: "Come in"

T'Lana@anncarise steps inside, "Commander."

Mischa@crystyll stands by the window, looking out as she nurses a cup of tea. Turning she smiles, "T'Lana, you have news I trust?"

T'Lana@anncarise nods, "Testing of the prototype neural encryption implant is showing promise so far. Buena reports no side effects and Eirril is no longer capable of reading Root."

Mischa@crystyll: "A positive first step indeed. So what is our next move?" She gestures to join her as she sits

T'Lana@anncarise: "We are currently working with Root to refine the implant. We believe his Borg implants improve his neural transmission speed and adding a layer of encryption to the neural signals of anyone else -

T'Lana@anncarise: - may induce a slight delay, a signal lag, in other words. It should not be notable in daily activity, but it is something we would still like to avoid."

Mischa@crystyll: "Sounds like that is our first hurdle then"

T'Lana@anncarise nods, "It may not be possible to completely eliminate the lag without augmenting other parts of the nervous system with Borg technology, but I believe the delay can be reduced even further, -

T'Lana@anncarise: - to the point where it is less severe than any natural degradation."

Mischa@crystyll: "I'm still not entirely comfortable with the path we are going down here. Messing with Borg technology is unwise at best, let alone in a bio-neural capacity. The less we utilize the better, I think"

T'Lana@anncarise nods, "I agree. We will certainly endeavour to minimize the employment of any Borg technologies or techniques."

Mischa@crystyll: "Do you think it would be possible to create our own implant based on Root's prototype?"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Entirely, but I believe it may only magnify the signal lag. We can develop an implant of the same nature, but our own such technologies are far less efficient."

Mischa@crystyll: "Perhaps if we work out the signal lag issue first then, but I think it's an option worth pursuing nonetheless"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Indeed. We will attempt to refine the current prototype and look into ways of creating our own variant of it."

T'Lana@anncarise: "Further research and testing will take time, and there is another subject which may be more imminent."

Mischa@crystyll sips her tea, "I had a feeling. You tend not do hand deliver minor project reports unless there is a more pertinent matter" she chuckles

T'Lana@anncarise nods, "We are attempting to make up time after the extended time in Trinity Alliance Space. This will bring us within the 9 light year range of the Regulator Array encountered by the Valley Forge -

T'Lana@anncarise: - in approximately seven hours."

Mischa@crystyll hrms, "Yes, the Regulators... what are you thoughts on them, based on what we know from the Valley Forge's encounter?"

T'Lana@anncarise: "I believe they are representative of an old Tellarite saying which translates roughly to 'Morality must be taken in moderation.'"

T'Lana@anncarise: "The Regulators have admirable goals, but over time they appear to have become slaves to their own code. They struggle to make exceptions, or adapt their rules to changing circumstances."

Mischa@crystyll: "Indeed. They may be technical allies now, but I suspect this rigidity of theirs leaves them vulnerable. And that's not even accounting for the advanced technology they are hoarding"

Mischa@crystyll: "I recall Captain Keelah expressing concern over a particular retrovirus that could be devastating to all life in this galaxy. That gives me cause for concern"

T'Lana@anncarise nods, "Precisely. If they become compromised, or decide that they no longer wish to be our allies, they have the potential to pose a threat equal to the level of the Borg, the Dominion or the -

T'Lana@anncarise: Iconians, if not more so."

Mischa@crystyll: "And perish the thought if this Primeval Horde managed to corrupt them as easily as it did the Chlasi..."

T'Lana@anncarise: "Judging by how easily they agreed to collaborate with the Valley Forge on developing defensive measures against the Horde, I believe they are as unprepared as us."

Mischa@crystyll: "So I suppose the real question now is; do we proceed collaboratively, or do we seek to eliminate this threat covertly?"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Both approaches possess the risk of alienating the Regulators. While working covertly appears more risky at first analysis, collaborating with them could just as easily lead to problems."

T'Lana@anncarise: "The Regulators have currently only encountered a single Federation starship, one actively working to present a diplomatic image. It is entirely possible that upon learning more of the Federation, -

T'Lana@anncarise: - they may decide that we require their regulation."

Mischa@crystyll: "A reasonable prediction. Then you favor the approach of openness, in favor of expediting our journey through their territory in order to make up ground on the Valley Forge?"

T'Lana@anncarise: "It is certainly possible to circumvent the Regulated Zones, but it will add further delays to our schedule. Travelling through their territory would be the most logical course of action, especially -

T'Lana@anncarise: - seeing as they are allies at the moment. We should still be cautious with them while doing so, though."

Mischa@crystyll: "Very well, once we are in range contact them to preempt our arrival. Hopefully it will be a simple acknowledgement with no fuss, if not... we still have time to circumvent"

T'Lana@anncarise nods, "I will inform you when we are about to make contact then, Commander."

Mischa@crystyll: "Excellent. Was there anything more you felt worth tabling on the matter before we approach the Regulators?"

T'Lana@anncarise: "There is one matter. From what little the Valley Forge has seen on Regulator technology, it is possible that they possess the means to create an implant with the efficiency of Borg technology but -

T'Lana@anncarise: - much safer to handle. Given the mutual benefit for protection against the Horde's powers, collaboration in this research and development project may be something to consider, assuming our contact -

T'Lana@anncarise: - with them proceeds smoothly."

Mischa@crystyll: "An appeasing thought" she smiles, "Perhaps then, we shall make this the premise of our approach to them so soon after the Valley Forge left their space"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Excellent suggestion, Commander. I will set up this offer of collaboration as our premise."

T'Lana@anncarise stands and heads back out for the bridge.

T'Lana@anncarise FX | Seven hours pass, and Mischa is called to the bridge...

Mischa@crystyll strolls out and to her seat, "What's our status?"

T'Lana@anncarise stands from the command chair, leaving it open for Mischa, "We have just entered the Regulated Zone. Victoria is directing our communications to the Array to attempt contact."

T'Lana@anncarise heads over to one of the consoles behind her.

Mischa@crystyll: "Has there been any acknowledgement of our approach so far?"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Not yet, Commander," she taps the console a few times. "Allow me to retract that statement. There has been a subtle increase of rare subatomic particles. I believe it may indicate that we are being -

T'Lana@anncarise: - scanned, albeit with unfamiliar techniques."

Mischa@crystyll: "Can you pinpoint the source of the scan?"

T'Lana@anncarise shakes her head, "It appears to be coming from the space around us. The scan is not being directed at us /from/ a specific location. The very fabric of space-time is being manipulated to create -

T'Lana@anncarise: - an effect akin to the applying of ultraviolet light to reveal forensic evidence."

Mischa@crystyll: "Hold position... for now. This is most likely the Regulators seeking to verify who we are"

T'Lana@anncarise: "There is a significant power reading now coming from the Array. I believe it is activating to summon a Regulator vessel."

Mischa@crystyll: "Stand by"

T'Lana@anncarise | T'Bee: "The Array is now fully active, but there is no displacement wave yet."

Mischa@crystyll: "Odd. Speculation?"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Perhaps it is awaiting a Regulator vessel to become available, or building up more power to summon a vessel from a longer distance."

T'Lana@anncarise | T'Bee: "I am now detecting the generation of a displacement wave."

Mischa@crystyll: "There we go..."

T'Lana@anncarise | Daurant: "A vessel has appeared by the Array. Wait, that can't be right. T'Bee, can you verify it's location?"

T'Lana@anncarise | T'Bee: "Verified, Lieutenant. The Regulator vessel is now 500,000 kilometres away. It must be using a form of space-folding drive."

T'Lana@anncarise | Daurant: "It appears to be the same type of vessel encountered by the Valley Forge. The only type of Regulator vessel on record at the moment."

T'Lana@anncarise | Victoria: "We're being hailed, Commander."

Mischa@crystyll: "Put it through"

T'Lana@anncarise | A Regulator in their signature suit appears on the viewscreen, helmet active and obscuring their identity.

T'Lana@anncarise | Regulator: "Federation vessel. Stand by for quarantine. We are detecting active Borg on board."

T'Lana@anncarise: "I believe it may be reading Root as a Borg drone."

Mischa@crystyll: "Regulator vessel, that will not be necessary. The Borg you detect is not part of the collective, but a liberated individual who serves on my crew"

T'Lana@anncarise | Regulator: "Are you certain? Borg technology can easily spread and affect its environment, biological or technological."

Mischa@crystyll: "Quite certain" she affirms with a steadfast and abrupt tone

T'Lana@anncarise | Regulator: "You will not mind if we dispatch an Operator to ensure it is safe, then?"

Mischa@crystyll: "By all means. You should know that this vessel is not like the Valley Forge, insofar that we are high security operation - not diplomatic. To that end, your Operator may transfer to our transporter +

Mischa@crystyll: + room and will be escorted to a briefing room where they can meet with our resident ex-Borg. He is pertinent to our presence here anyway"

T'Lana@anncarise | Regulator: "We will comply. Our Operator will transfer over momentarily."

Mischa@crystyll: "Very good"

Mischa@crystyll lets the comm end before standing and looking to T'Lana, "Inform Root to meet us in Conference 3"

T'Lana@anncarise nods, "Yes Commander. Should I meet you there or accompany you to the transporter room?"

Mischa@crystyll: "You can escort our guest and I will meet you there. I would like to brief Root before the Operator arrives so... take the scenic route" she smiles

T'Lana@anncarise: "Understood, Commander."

Mischa@crystyll sits takling with Root in the conference room

Mischa@crystyll: "...so to be clear, these people are still deemed to be a security risk. However we believe they may possess the means to refine our little... project. You understand the implications?"

Mischa@crystyll | Root stares coldly back for a moment, "Yes, Commander. Mission designation 'need to know'"

Mischa@crystyll smiles, "Indeed. And... you won't be offended, I trust, if they are a little suspicius of you? It seems they are still rather more fearful of the Collective out here..."

Mischa@crystyll | Root tilts his head, cortical implant refocusing a few times, "I am Borg..."

Mischa@crystyll chuckles, "And Borg don't take offense, right..."

Mischa@crystyll | Root straightens, the presents a cringe-worthy attempt of a smile in response

Mischa@crystyll: "Still not got the hang of the whole smilng thing, have we..." she laughs some more

Mischa@crystyll | Root's face abruptly turns blank again. Totally not offended...

T'Lana@anncarise | The door slides open as T'Lana arrives, followed by a curious looking figure...

Mischa@crystyll & Root both look to the door

T'Lana@anncarise | The figure's suit is clearly a Regulator suit, with the exact same design and colour scheme. However, the helmet is visibly elongated compared to the Regulator they spoke to through the -

T'Lana@anncarise: - viewscreen, and the proportions are slightly different as well, lacking the bulky, Orion-like figures of a male of the Regulator species, nor does the figure look female.

T'Lana@anncarise | The figure's helmet snaps immediately in Root's direction. The eyes behind the helmet are most likely staring.

Mischa@crystyll | Root stares back, coldly as ever

Mischa@crystyll: "Welcome to the Latenter. Please, sit" she gestures to an empty seat across the table from Root

T'Lana@anncarise takes a seat. The figure approaches the table as well, but continues to fix its gaze on Root before finally speaking, "You claim you are no longer a part of the Borg Collective?"

Mischa@crystyll | Root: "I claim nothing. It is a simple statement of fact"

Mischa@crystyll: "For some time now, we have possessed the capacity to disconnect - or 'liberate' - drones from the Collective"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "I am aware of such drones." His helmet is still fixed in Root's direction. "What is your first instinct when you lay eyes upon my suit?"

Mischa@crystyll | Root considers him a moment, "Upon entering the room, you were scanned and analyzed for any potential threats you may be concealing within your hardware, to be used against Mischa-Commander"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "What is your view on the Collective?"

Mischa@crystyll | Root: "This unit is aware of atrocities carried out by the Collective, and by this unit when it was connected..."

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "Atrocities? Do you not think you offered biological races improvement? Was being Borg not a step closer to perfection?"

Mischa@crystyll | Root: "That is the belief of the Collective. This unit believes as the Liberated and the Cooperative do. While this unit still values perfection, it also values free will"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "What do you feel if I tell you that I have been personally responsible for the destruction of hundreds of Borg drones connected to the Collective? Burned them in plasma fire, crushed -

T'Lana@anncarise: - them with gravitational forces, cut them down with a blade and tore apart their circuits with armoured gauntlet?"

Mischa@crystyll | Root considers the Operator a moment, cortical implant whirring away as it focuses back and forth, "This unit would feel... the impulse to not be outdone by the Operators bragging and quote the +

Mischa@crystyll: + 4812 drones it is responsible for terminating"

Mischa@crystyll | Root continues to stare back, blankly as ever

Mischa@crystyll smirks a little, "Satisfied?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "Impressive. This one either truly no longer believes in the vision of the Collective, or is very adept at lying. And if this is a deception, then this one has also deviated from the -

T'Lana@anncarise: - Collective, as true Borg do not infiltrate. They only assimilate."

T'Lana@anncarise | The Regulator Operator takes a seat, his helmet retracting and revealing four eyes on its elongated head- two smaller ones atop two positioned closer to where human eyes would be.

Mischa@crystyll: "If you like, I would be happy to share with you our knowledge of Borg Liberation. We can also provide more scientific evidence that Root is no longer connected"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "I have seen enough, but my Supervisor would like such data added to my report."

Mischa@crystyll: "Of course, a full dossier on the Liberated will be made available. I take from your people's reaction to Root's presence, that you are less familiar with Liberation, and general containment of the +

Mischa@crystyll: + Collective?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "We are familiar with what you call Liberation, but it is protocol upon encountering Borg presence to ensure it is either safe, or eliminate it."

Mischa@crystyll: "Fair enough. The Collective no longer poses the same level of threat it once did to the Federation, but I understand that it may still do so elsewhere"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "In normal circumstances, the Collective is no threat to the Administration, but we must still be wary. Should they somehow manage to assimilate Regulator technology, their threat -

T'Lana@anncarise: - level will increase. Significantly."

Mischa@crystyll: "Is it would if they were to assimilate modern Starfleet countermeasures. Your caution is prudent"

T'Lana@anncarise | The Operator looks back to Root, though two of his eyes seem to remain on Mischa, "I take it your Starfleet was responsible for liberating this one?"

Mischa@crystyll nods, "This very vessel, in fact"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "Your vessel has had contact with the Collective, then?"

Mischa@crystyll: "Yes, many Starfleet vessels have been involved in confrontation with the Collective"

T'Lana@anncarise | The Operator's helmet closes over his face again as he speaks, "Ah, I see. Two of the species from your other vessel match genetic data from drones we have encountered."

Mischa@crystyll | Root: "The Collective have assimilated many species across this quadrant of space"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "Across many regions of space." His helmet retracts again. "I am all too aware of that."

Mischa@crystyll: "No doubt. Now on to more pertinent matters, your people are developing countermeasures against the telepathic influence of the Primeval Horde"

Mischa@crystyll sounds more to be stating it than asking...

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "We are researching countermeasures, yes."

Mischa@crystyll: "Researching. So you have not progressed to developing a solution?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "I am no Analyst, but from what I understand, we have the knowledge to design and create specific soldiers immune to such influences, but it is against everything the Administration -

T'Lana@anncarise: - stands for. Even the Colonial Arshai do not go to such lengths. The results may be very unpredictable."

Mischa@crystyll: "You're looking at genetic engineering?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "It is a solution, but one we are unwilling to pursue. We have sought methods to block telepathic influence, but they are only a temporary measure."

T'Lana@anncarise nods, "Like our initial attempts to create a shield, so to speak, around the mind."

T'Lana@anncarise: "Useable, but not sustainable for long periods of time."

Mischa@crystyll: "Our recent efforts in repelling such an incursion from the Trinity Alliance has yielded promising developments which I hope to be mutually beneficial, if we can develop them sufficiently"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "It is not usually our way to help others advance technology, but as we both lack such defenses, if your development is promising enough, I suspect the Directors will allow us to work -

T'Lana@anncarise: - with you. I am only an Operator, but I will speak to the Supervisor about having Analysts examine your developments."

Mischa@crystyll: "That would be most prudent" she nods, "And to be clear, we are here offering help, not asking for it. We share your rule about advanced technology, but mutual development is not the same as giving +

Mischa@crystyll: + advanced technology to those incapable of wielding it"

T'Lana@anncarise | The Operator nods, "Your argument is sound, and I see no reason for the Directors to reject your offer as long as the promise you speak of is true."

Mischa@crystyll: "If you mean the promise of working cooperatively, then I assure you it is. I know you like to post your people to non-Regulator vessels. I would propose that a suitably skilled Analyst travel with +

Mischa@crystyll: + us while we cross Regulated space, and work on the development of our countermeasure in the process. Assuming it proves to be of interest, of course" she smiles

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "I will speak to the Supervisor, who will likely contact a Director for further approval. You will be crossing the Zones on a similar path to the other vessel?"

Mischa@crystyll: "Relatively, yes. Since we will not be partaking in any trials or surveys, our route will be much more direct"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "We will likely follow you for now, until a decision is made."

Mischa@crystyll: "Fair enough"

T'Lana@anncarise | The Operator stands, "I will return to the vessel and the Supervisor will update you when there is new updates to be presented."

T'Lana@anncarise stands as well, "I will escort our guest back to the transporter room."

Mischa@crystyll: "Thank you T'Lana" looks to the Operator, "And I look forward to hearing from your Supervisor"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "I hope we will be able to develop a solution against this Horde. From what little we know, it seems a greater danger than the Borg."

Mischa@crystyll: "Indeed. Your Supervisor can also expect a report on our recent encounter against them. It may provide valuable insight into their strategy"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "Excellent. We will put your knowledge to good use."

T'Lana@anncarise leads the Operator out of the conference room and back to the transporter.

T'Lana@anncarise FX | It has been almost two weeks into the Latenter's journey through the Regulated Zone. All is quiet as they proceed through, still shadowed by the Regulator ship that had met them on arrival...

T'Lana@anncarise steps onto the bridge from the turbolift.

T'Lana@anncarise | Victoria: "Commander."

T'Lana@anncarise: "Any updates?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Victoria vacates the command chair and moves to her usual console as the Vulcan sits down. "Still no contact."

T'Lana@anncarise: "Most peculiar. It has been over four days since they last examined Root and the prototype implant."

T'Lana@anncarise | Dawoyva: "You would think if they did not agree to our plan, they would let us know sooner."

T'Lana@anncarise | Hassan: "We all know how Starfleet rules and regulations can be, and this is a faction quite possibly bigger than the Federation. Their leaders are probably debating on a decision."

T'Lana@anncarise | T'Bee: "Or perhaps they are simply trying to verify whether they can replicate the implant with their own technology before agreeing to assist."

T'Lana@anncarise: "We will see. I am certain the Regulators will contact us before we exit their space."

T'Lana@anncarise | Nethaydgea: "I really hope they don't keep us waiting for two more weeks..."

T'Lana@anncarise | Time passes slowly on the uneventful bridge, with occasional quiet conversations breaking out.

T'Lana@anncarise | Then, the atmosphere is interrupted as Daurant announces, "New contact on sensors. A vessel appears to have been pulled in by a displacement wave to the nearest Regulator Array."

T'Lana@anncarise: "Victoria, inform Commander Leveson-Scott. Is it a Regulator vessel?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Daurant: "Judging from the way its power signatures behave and how it has jumped to the Regulator vessel tailing us, I would say so. It's clearly of a different design, though."

T'Lana@anncarise | T'Fel: "Interesting. All Regulator vessels observed to date have possessed the same design, at least from what can be determined on the exterior."

T'Lana@anncarise | Daurant: "This one is significantly smaller."

T'Lana@anncarise: "Do we have a visual?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Daurant: "Putting it onscreen now, Commander."

T'Lana@anncarise FX | https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/fate-of-the-known-worlds/images/1/1e/Raider_Bomber-class.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20190101025120

T'Lana@anncarise: "Analysis?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Daurant: "It is small, roughly the size of bird-of-preys. As usual with Regulator vessels, our scans cannot penetrate the hull."

Mischa@crystyll walks on to the bridge, "What have we got?"

T'Lana@anncarise stands from the command seat, "It appears a Regulator vessel of a different design has arrived through the nearest Array."

Mischa@crystyll: "Have they initiated communication?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Victoria: "No, Commander. But...I am picking up one of their tachyon transport signatures between the two Regulator ships. I think someone from the newly arrived vessel is beaming onto the -

T'Lana@anncarise: - vessel that's been following us."

T'Lana@anncarise: "A visit from someone higher in the chain of command, perhaps."

Mischa@crystyll: "Continue monitoring for now, maintain course and speed."

T'Lana@anncarise | Dawoyva: "Maintaining course and speed. Neither Regulator vessel appears to be following us at the moment."

T'Lana@anncarise | T'Fel: "The smaller vessel is continuing to approach the larger one. I believe it is docking."

T'Lana@anncarise | Daurant: "Confirmed, the smaller ship is attaching itself to the side of the larger one."

T'Lana@anncarise | Dawoyva: "They're resuming course and catching up now."

T'Lana@anncarise | Victoria: "We're being hailed, Commander."

Mischa@crystyll: "Let's have it" she nods

T'Lana@anncarise | A Regulator clad in their typical suit appears on the viewscreen. The face is obscured, but by the voice it is likely a female, "Am I speaking to the Supervisor of the Federation vessel?"

Mischa@crystyll: "I am Commander Leveson-Scott" she offers as confirmation

T'Lana@anncarise | Regulator: "I am Arbiter 9125-101-3844. You proposed a collaborative effort between our administrations to develop a defense against the threat known most commonly as the Horde, correct?"

Mischa@crystyll: "That is correct, Arbiter. Can I take your arrival to mean that your administration has reached a decision on how it wishes to proceed?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Arbiter: "I am an Arbiter. I would not be here if that were so."

Mischa@crystyll smiles, "Of course. Always best never to assume, still. So how then do you wish to proceed?"

T'Lana@anncarise | The Arbiter’s helmet finally deactivates to reveal her face, "Allow me to explain the situation first, as I expect you are not familiar with our procedures."

Mischa@crystyll: "Please do" she leans back, listening intently

T'Lana@anncarise | Arbiter: "The Analysts have determined that your approach to a countermeasure is viable. However, it will require technology above your current level to function effectively. The Analysts' -

T'Lana@anncarise: - experiments have deemed that utilizing Borg technology for such a purpose is too dangerous as an unintentional neural link may be formed by tuning the implants to the same encryption, which -

T'Lana@anncarise: - could result in the accidental formation of a Borg collective network. The most viable alternative is to utilize Regulator technology."

Mischa@crystyll: "Yes, we had the same reservations about direct use of Borg technology which is why we had not progressed the research beyond simulation. Our intent was to develop our own variant based on the Borg +

Mischa@crystyll: + prototype, but with the time and resources required to complete such work, collaboration seemed the most mutually beneficial way to progress"

T'Lana@anncarise | Arbiter: "I agree. However, your civilization has only been granted Type 2 access, which means under no means are we to allow you access to our technology. The Lead Evaluator refuses to alter -

T'Lana@anncarise: - your evaluation, but the Lead Analyst and Lead Supervisor insists on allowing cooperation with the Federation."

T'Lana@anncarise | Arbiter: "As a representative of the Board of Directors, I have been called to arbitrate this decision."

Mischa@crystyll: "With my - albeit limited - understanding of our access level, I had hoped that with this being a collaborative development - making it neither Federation or Regulator technology outright, that may +

Mischa@crystyll: + provide the necessary 'wiggle room' in order for us to assist you without impacting the administrations prior judgement"

T'Lana@anncarise | Arbiter: "That was our agreement with your other vessel, the NCC 43305-A. The Analyst assigned there will assist with research but not directly grant any of our own technology. However, for -

T'Lana@anncarise: - your implant to work without Borg technology, Regulator neural connection technology is essential, which means we must share some degree of our own knowledge."

Mischa@crystyll: "I assume then, from your presence here, that you don't simply pose the problem but a solution that is deemed acceptable?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Arbiter: "Yes. I do not believe a full re-evaluation is necessary; however, I would like to invite you to this vessel in one of your days to discuss this situation and present some proof that -

T'Lana@anncarise: - you will use the limited knowledge we shall impart to you responsibly."

Mischa@crystyll nods, "That is acceptable. Are they any prerequisites to this that you feel we should be aware of, or any specific criteria you wish for us to address?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Arbiter: "You will come alone, but I assure you there is no danger on board a Regulator vessel. We would prefer you not to prepare for the discussion, as with the Judgement, so you will -

T'Lana@anncarise: - demonstrate what you truly believe."

Mischa@crystyll: "Very well. Though you realise that even by preempting the visit with a timed notice, you are in fact inciting subconscious preparation at least" she smiles a little

T'Lana@anncarise | The Arbiter nods, "Some, yes, but knowing how the Supervisor of your other vessel reacted upon transporting on board without her consent, I did not wish to simply take you to our vessel without -

T'Lana@anncarise: - warning. I will contact you again in one day's time."

Mischa@crystyll chuckles, "Understandable. Although I am sure we can work out an amenable middle ground for such interactions in the future, should you wish. Nonetheless, I am grateful for the consideration and +

Mischa@crystyll: + look forward to discussing things with tomorrow"

T'Lana@anncarise | Arbiter: "We shall speak again soon."

T'Lana@anncarise FX | The Regulator Arbiter disappears from the viewscreen.

Mischa@crystyll looks to TL: "Penny for your thoughts?"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Once again, the Regulators have difficulty making an exception despite the logic of the circumstances. I hope they will ultimately see that an exception is in their favour."

Mischa@crystyll: "Something tells me they already do, else we would not be having this conversation"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Indeed, and this Arbiter appears sympathetic to our views. I believe you will be able to sway her fully to accept our offer of collaboration."

T'Lana@anncarise: "We both need this countermeasure to be successful. For all the capabilities of Regulator technology, they are nothing but a liability against the Horde as of this moment."

Mischa@crystyll: "And I think they are starting to realize it. What's more, I see this move from them as a sign that their eyes may be opening to the benefit of our different ways"

Mischa@crystyll: "As clearly, adaptation of advanced technology and learning in the process is not in their repertoire"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Indeed. Perhaps we may be able to affect the Regulators for the better, as the Federation has for the Klingons and Cardassians."

Mischa@crystyll: "One can only hope" she smiles

T'Lana@anncarise FX | After a day passes, the Latenter is contacted once again by the Regulators, who requests Mischa to beam over to their ship.

T'Lana@anncarise accompanies Mischa over to the transporter room, but Mischa alone steps onto the pad as the Regulators requested her and only her.

Mischa@crystyll: "Alright, show time. I'll see you on the other side, T'Lana. Keep my seat warm for me" she smiles, "Energize"

T'Lana@anncarise nods, "Good luck, Commander."

T'Lana@anncarise FX | Mischa disappears and rematerializes in the very bleak transporter room of the Regulator ship. Two suited Regulators await her just off the pad.

Mischa@crystyll steps off the pad, "Greetings. I take it you are my escort to the Arbiter?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Regulator 1: "Come with us."

Mischa@crystyll mutters to herself as she follows, "I'll take that as a yes..."

T'Lana@anncarise | The first Regulator turns and promptly leads the way out, the second following behind Mischa.

T'Lana@anncarise | They travel through the same plain grey halls as the VF crew witnessed on the Regulator ship they visited. Many Regulators, mostly suited but a few wearing undersuits or casual clothes pass by -

T'Lana@anncarise: - them through the halls.

T'Lana@anncarise | The two Regulators escort Mischa into a lift, then through another corridor beyond.

T'Lana@anncarise | They eventually arrive into a small conference room of sorts, which looks more like an interrogation room given the lack of decor or architectural style. One of the Regulators motions to the -

T'Lana@anncarise - central table, "Take a seat. The Arbiter will be with you shortly."

Mischa@crystyll: "Thank you" she smiles politely before making herself comfortable

T'Lana@anncarise | The chair is basic and very rigid, with no padding or adjustability. It's clearly designed to keep those sitting on it from getting too relaxed.

T'Lana@anncarise | The two Regulators move to one of the entrances into the room each and stand there.

Mischa@crystyll appears perfectly comfortable sitting in a rigid & formal manner

T'Lana@anncarise FX | A minute passes. Then five. Then ten. There is no sign of the Arbiter's arrival, but the two Regulators who brought her here seem to occasionally turn their helmets towards each other as if -

T'Lana@anncarise: - conversing. From current intel on the Regulators, Mischa would know that the Regulator suits have built-in communications which are usually not audible outside the suit.

Mischa@crystyll quietly observes the pair, their interactions and mannerisms. Every little detail they present. Quite content to savour the opportunity to study through observation

T'Lana@anncarise | The two Regulators hold a straight pose as they stand, looking like perfectly disciplined soldiers. However, as time passes their composure seems to change as they shift and glance at one -

T'Lana@anncarise: - another more frequently. Then, one of the Regulators steps over towards the other door and they both turn towards it.

Mischa@crystyll follows their gaze, anticipating an arrival

T'Lana@anncarise FX | There is a soft rumble. Both Regulators hold up their arms towards the door, their gazes locked on to one another for a brief moment before focusing intently on the door. Something is off...

Mischa@crystyll senses their trepidation and turns more towards the door, tensed and ready to move, "What is wrong?"

T'Lana@anncarise | One of the Regulators simply states, "Stay back."

Mischa@crystyll does as instructed, but takes the warning as confirmation of the untoward and stands as she continues to watch

T'Lana@anncarise FX | An explosion sounds in the hall beyond. The door and wall there deforms, but it seems an invisible field prevents them from collapsing.

T'Lana@anncarise | There is a second explosion, and the wall and door deforms even more. Cracks and dents begin appearing throughout.

T'Lana@anncarise | A third explosion shakes the entire room violently. The two Regulators remain upright, arms held up. The wall and door is all but molten slag now, and the invisible field looks to be the only -

T'Lana@anncarise: - thing keeping the room safe from the explosions...

Mischa@crystyll figures she would be nothing more than a hindrance to them, she remains distant and observing

T'Lana@anncarise | She sees smoke and flickering lights behind the mostly destroyed wall, but can make out little. There is a lighter fourth explosion, but then the fifth sends the two Regulators flying across -

T'Lana@anncarise: - the room. The field collapses and smoke begins to pour in, followed by what seem to be laser sights...

T'Lana@anncarise FX | https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/memoryalpha/images/5/59/Borg_approach_in_dark.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20120318011044&path-prefix=en

Mischa@crystyll moves to check on the downed Regulators

T'Lana@anncarise FX | They don't appear to be conscious, if they are still alive. As the smoke begins to clear, Mischa can see the distinctive form of cybernetically augmented Borg drones stepping past the broken -

T'Lana@anncarise: - wall. Their cybernetics appear different from the typical drones from intel reports, and look more advanced...

T'Lana@anncarise FX | https://voy.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/5x16/dark_frontier_336.jpg

T'Lana@anncarise FX | The Regulators don't appear to be conscious, if they are still alive. As the smoke begins to clear, Mischa can see the distinctive form of cybernetically augmented Borg drones stepping past the broken -

T'Lana@anncarise: - wall. Their cybernetics appear different from the typical drones from intel reports, and look more advanced...

T'Lana@anncarise FX | https://voy.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/5x16/dark_frontier_336.jpg

Mischa@crystyll quickly looks for anything she can use to defend herself, including on the bodies of the downed Regulators

T'Lana@anncarise | The Regulators don't carry any detachable weapons, but the chairs can be lifted up. They probably won't do more than annoy a drone though...

Mischa@crystyll gives a second glance to the Regulators suit having noticed how they were raising their arms. Just to see if there is a defense mechanism on the suit she can activate, even if she can't remove it

T'Lana@anncarise | She can't find any way to activate a defensive mechanism, but she can see one of the lights on the suit blinking...

Mischa@crystyll gives a brief glance towards the Borg ensuring she has time still, then checks the light to figure what it indicates

T'Lana@anncarise | The Borg scan around the room as they enter, proceeding slowly as they typically do. Two begin moving towards one downed Regulator and three towards the one where Mischa is at.

T'Lana@anncarise | The light is likely a countdown of some sort...

Mischa@crystyll 's eyes widen with the realization. She stands, grabbing the nearby chair and tossing it low towards the nearest approaching Borg to slow them while she makes the for the opposing door

T'Lana@anncarise | She just makes it outside the opposite door as both Regulator suits explode, obliterating the room behind her. Fortunately, a force field kicks in and prevents the damage from reaching her.

T'Lana@anncarise | The hall where she entered from is now empty. The ship rocks again from some distant explosion...

Mischa@crystyll tries her combadge, "Leveson-Scott to Latenter"

T'Lana@anncarise | There is a little interference, but T'Lana's voice comes through, <C> "Latenter here. What's the situation, Commander?"

Mischa@crystyll: "Uncertain. What is your status?"

T'Lana@anncarise: <C> "We have been holding position since we transported you over to the Regulator vessel. It is not moving either. Do you wish us to continue our course through the Regulated Zones?"

Mischa@crystyll continues to cautiously search the area as she talks, "Go to red alert. The vessel seems to have been compromised by a new generation of Borg. I am attempting to find... someone on board, and +

Mischa@crystyll: + ascertain the situation"

T'Lana@anncarise: <C> "Going to red alert, Commander. We are reading no abnormalities here, but our sensors cannot penetrate the Regulator vessel's hull. If there are Borg, I suspect they originated from within."

T'Lana@anncarise | Mischa sees red lights at the end of the hall as three drones turn a corner towards her...

Mischa@crystyll: "Agreed... T'Lana, I don't need to tell you the impact if Borg evolve with Regulator technology. If we cannot stabilize the situation here... standing orders apply. Understood?"

Mischa@crystyll ducks behind a bulkhead, preferring not to go close quarters with 3 unknown drones if she can avoid it

T'Lana@anncarise | There is the briefest of pauses before T'Lana replies with <C> "Understood Commander."

Mischa@crystyll taps her combadge off and waits to see if she can evade the Borg’s interest

T'Lana@anncarise | The three drones step by, paying her no attention.

T'Lana@anncarise | As they pass her, she gets a closer look at them. Their skin is all pale as usual with assimilated individuals, but she can still guess from their features and body proportions that they are -

T'Lana@anncarise: - likely converted members of the Regulator species. They do not seem to be incorporating any pieces of Regulator suits though, as no distinctive suit parts can be seen among the cybernetics.

Mischa@crystyll silently breathes a sigh of relief and continues on her way, trying to find surviving Regulators to aid, or at least an interface to find her way to the bridge

T'Lana@anncarise | As she makes her way through the halls, she finds no bodies, only signs of explosions and Borg drones. Those not assimilated must have gone down with their suit's auto-destruct...

T'Lana@anncarise | She manages to find a lift, but it is inoperable.

Mischa@crystyll groans and continues her search. Determined to find something to work with

T'Lana@anncarise: | After another minute of searching, she hears bangs coming from somewhere ahead, then an explosion.

Mischa@crystyll cautiously proceeds towards the source of the sound

T'Lana@anncarise | The bangs seem to be coming from beyond a set of doors that have been pulled open by immense force...

Mischa@crystyll works her way to try and get a view of what's going on

T'Lana@anncarise | The room ahead was some kind of mess hall, now it's...just a mess. Tables and benches are strewn about all over the place and smoke obscures her sight, but she can make out the form of several -

T'Lana@anncarise: - bodies on the ground and a figure in a Regulator suit in the centre, their arms waving around.

T'Lana@anncarise | Suddenly a Borg drone flies across the room in the direction of the Regulator's gesture, and a loud crack indicates that it has likely smashed fatally into a wall.

Mischa@crystyll looks to provide cover the live Regulator before finding an opportunity to announce herself

T'Lana@anncarise | Drones and tables continue to fly across the room for a few moments before everything stops and the Regulator turns to Mischa's direction.

Mischa@crystyll raises her hands, "It's ok! No need to launch me"

T'Lana@anncarise | Regulator: "The Federation Supervisor."

Mischa@crystyll: "Yes, that's me. Now what the Hell is going on here?"

T'Lana@anncarise | The Regulator's helmet deactivates, revealing the four-eyed Operator who had visited the Latenter previously.

Mischa@crystyll: "You again..." she notes

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "This vessel is compromised. The Analysts' experimentation with recreating your prototype implant exactly has apparently resulted in a Borg infestation."

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "I warned them Borg technology was too dangerous, and we must attempt to recreate the implant with our own designs."

Mischa@crystyll shakes her head in disbelief, mouth agape and ready to protest the irresponsible misuse of technology, but she simply frowns, "I assume your suit provides you with an accurate summary of the +

Mischa@crystyll: + shipwide situation?"

T'Lana@anncarise | The Operator nods, "Yes. Other Operators are working to self-destruct this vessel before this new collective can expand. You do not have a suit. You will not survive jumping from an evacuation -

T'Lana@anncarise: - point, but the Arbiter's transport is not compromised. I will escort you there."

Mischa@crystyll: "What of the Arbiter?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "We have lost contact with the Arbiter. None others have managed to make it to the Arbiter's transport yet, and due to the compromised nature of this vessel's systems, we cannot call -

T'Lana@anncarise: - for assistance. Reaching the Arbiter's vessel is your highest chance of survival, and it will enable us to contact the nearest Array."

Mischa@crystyll: "I have the Latenter standing by to assist us. For the moment, our communications are intact"

Mischa@crystyll: "Also, this procedure to self destruct... it is a standard protocol in such circumstances I assume?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "Yes, it is. And your vessel will not be able to call for assistance. The Borg have modified and expanded this vessel's transwarp chroniton field around us."

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "We are not in sync with regular space-time. Messages can be sent within the field, but this vessel must be destroyed or Regulator technology must be used in order to break out of the -

T'Lana@anncarise: - field."

Mischa@crystyll: "If it is a standard procedure then these Borg already know of it and have likely already circumvented your self-destruct capacity. My crew have orders to destroy this ship if it comes to it"

Mischa@crystyll: "They are also actively blocking any communications outbound from this ship under the assumption that it may be a Borg signal"

T'Lana@anncarise | The Operator nods, "The Borg are likely also aware of the capabilities of the Arbiter's ship and are working to reach it. We should be underway as soon as possible."

Mischa@crystyll: "If you have the capacity to communicate with other survivors, I suggest you coordinate the evacuees to rendezvous with the Latenter"

Mischa@crystyll: "But yes, let's move" she looks around for any crude means of arming herself

T'Lana@anncarise | Once again, there are no weapons readily lying around. Some of the Borg appear to be the armed type; unfortunately their weaponry are a part of their body...

Mischa@crystyll is not above detaching a Borg limb in such circumstances...

T'Lana@anncarise | The Regulator proceeds out of the mess into the ship's halls.

T'Lana@anncarise | He turns and waits as Mischa detaches a Borg limb, looking as if he is about to object to her using Borg tech before thinking better of it and reactivating his helmet.

Mischa@crystyll gives the briefest of 'don't start' glares as she readies her Borg arm like a rifle

T'Lana@anncarise | The Operator leads her over to the broken lift, bending the doors open with a gesture of his arms to reveal the dark shaft beyond.

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "I can take us through the shaft."

T'Lana@anncarise | He jumps in and levitates in the air, motioning for Mischa to follow.

Mischa@crystyll peers in and looks to the Operator, "I'm glad you have a plan. Because all appearances to the contrary, this uniform does not defy gravity"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "Fortunately, ours do."

Mischa@crystyll joins the Operator. Cautiously

T'Lana@anncarise | As Mischa steps into the shaft, she would suddenly feel weightless as if in low-gravity before an invisible force pulls both of them upwards...

T'Lana@anncarise | Upon reaching a specific door along the shaft, the Regulator gestures again and the door flies open before he and Mischa levitate into a dark hall filled with flickering lights.

T'Lana@anncarise | This part of the ship appears to have Borg tech already starting to be interwoven into the bulkheads now, and it isn't long before they run into their first drones in a group of five.

T'Lana@anncarise | The first drone, who is armed, opens fire, but the Operator holds out a hand and the bolts dissipate on an invisible field.

T'Lana@anncarise | He clenches his fist and gestures to the side, ripping off the Borg's weapon arm before making a pushing gesture that sends the Borg tumbling into another drone behind it.

Mischa@crystyll opens fire on the next highest risk drone yet to be disabled

T'Lana@anncarise | Mischa downs the next highest risk drone while the Operator makes a wide gesture with his arms, throwing the two other standing drones into the walls.

Mischa@crystyll: "We should hurry"

T'Lana@anncarise | The two that were pushed into each other start to stand back up...

Mischa@crystyll fires again at them both, a single killshot each as they begin to move

T'Lana@anncarise | She takes one out, but the second shot stops short of the drone, stopped by some form of personal shield...

T'Lana@anncarise | Fortunately, the Operator grabs it in a dark matter field and smashes it into the ceiling, then the floor, disabling it.

Mischa@crystyll recognizes the adaptation and discards her short lived arm gun

T'Lana@anncarise | They continue down the halls when suddenly white flashes appear all around them.

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "They've taken control of the transport systems!"

T'Lana@anncarise | He reaches his arms out, knocking the five Borg who have beamed in around them into the surrounding walls.

Mischa@crystyll: "How far to the shuttle?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Operator: "We will be there soon, but I cannot shield you from being transported away and fight Borg at the same time."

T'Lana@anncarise | He leads her into a side room instead and begins to work on one of the replicators.

Mischa@crystyll follows closely, "Focus on shielding us. I am not completely inept when it comes to handling the Borg"

T'Lana@anncarise | From the look of this room, it seems to be a very basic bedroom. "Are you certain? I can alter the synthesizer to produce a weapon instead if you wish to-"

T'Lana@anncarise | Two Borg materialize right beside the Operator. He turns and backhands one away, but the other manages to extend its assimilation tubes and to Mischa's horror, they connect with his suit...

T'Lana@anncarise | He throws his hand towards Mischa and she finds herself hurled back into the next room before there is an explosion engulfing the bedroom they were just in...

T'Lana@anncarise | When the smoke clears, there's almost nothing left of that room.

Mischa@crystyll looks back with a moment's remorse but resolving to press on. She exits and continues along the way they were heading in the hopes that they were close enough she can find her way from there

T'Lana@anncarise | She finds her way to what appears like an airlock with a connecting tunnel to a different ship. Stepping inside, the walls and ceiling are clearly more restrictive, signifying that it is a -

T'Lana@anncarise: - smaller ship.

Mischa@crystyll continues as quickly as she is able, conscious of the vulnerable position she is forced into by the surroundings

T'Lana@anncarise | She makes her way through the ship, its bridge coming into sight before she realizes...there are Borg wires coming from it. A red light shines as the assimilated Arbiter turns a corner towards -

T'Lana@anncarise: - her...

Mischa@crystyll curses, tapping her combadge as she backs up a little, "Leveson-Scott to Latenter... please tell me you can get a transporter lock on my signal..."

T'Lana@anncarise: <C> "Negative Commander. You are still somewhere inside a Regulator vessel. You must pass the hull for our transporters to lock on."

T'Lana@anncarise | Arbiter: "You will not escape. Your biological and technological distinctiveness will be added to our own. Resistance is futile."

T'Lana@anncarise | The Arbiter slowly and threateningly makes her way down the hall towards Mischa.

Mischa@crystyll looks to the Borgiter, "You'll forgive me if I politely decline..." she quickly scans her surroundings for options

T'Lana@anncarise | Judging from the unassimilated state of the rest of the ship, the Borg must have transported right into the bridge and started from there. She notices in one of the rooms beside her, which appears to be -

T'Lana@anncarise: - the Arbiter's quarters, a Regulator suit stands in its rack, not yet touched by any Borg technology...

Mischa@crystyll decies to take her chances and bolts for the suit, praying it's as easy to use as it is compatible with her physiology

T'Lana@anncarise | Mischa steps into the suit and feels a slight prickle in the back of her neck. Her vision blacks out for a second and she loses sensation of her body...then she finds the suit wrapped around -

T'Lana@anncarise: - herself and her body feels different. It doesn't feel like a suit of armour, there is no added weight at all. It almost feels like the armour is a part of her...

T'Lana@anncarise | The helmet remains off, and she sees with her biological eyes the Borgiter entering the room towards her.

Mischa@crystyll pushes aside the sensations and focuses her will on repelling the Borgiter, figuring that the abilities witnessed so far are a result of the suits rather than biological

T'Lana@anncarise | The helmet suddenly wraps around her face and she can still see everything as before, except that there is now a HUD overlay and a reticle on the Borgiter...

Mischa@crystyll continues focusing and tries to push the Borgiter away as she saw the Operator do before, even thinking to mimic the gestures

T'Lana@anncarise | As she mimics the gesture, the Borgiter is pushed away with much more force than the Operator used on the Borg he fought. The doorframe around her deforms as she is launched into the wall -

T'Lana@anncarise: - behind her and pressed into it, transforming into nothing but a splatter of blood on the wall. Her cybernetic parts clatter harmlessly to the ground.

T'Lana@anncarise | Mischa immediately feels nauseated afterwards, not due to the bloody mess that is the former Arbiter, but not being used to the neural connection...

Mischa@crystyll tries to push past it and search for one of the aforementioned escape hatches

T'Lana@anncarise | The suit helpfully identifies...everything around her. It seems to be scanning where she looks, and floods her with a lot of data at first, but soon it becomes useful as it marks a round -

T'Lana@anncarise: - manhole-like grate as an escape hatch.

Mischa@crystyll hurries for it and tries to open it up and escape

T'Lana@anncarise | It refuses to open, but the moment she steps onto it, it slides open of its own accord and she is sucked into the vacuum of space...

Mischa@crystyll looks around with disorientation, wishing she could activate her combadge with this thing and call for transport. At the very least she tries to control her momentum and get her bearings

T'Lana@anncarise | She is just outside the hull of the Arbiter's smaller ship, still attached to the larger Regulator vessel. As she wishes to activate her combadge, she suddenly hears a voice echoing in her ears.

T'Lana@anncarise | <C> "This is Supervisor 9120-209-047. Is that you, Arbiter?"

Mischa@crystyll looks around, briefly thrown the voice in her helmet, "No, this is Commander Leveson-Scott of the Latenter. The Arbiter was compromised by the Borg and I had to use her suit to escape"

T'Lana@anncarise: <C - Supervisor> "The vessel is about to self-destruct. Do you know how to use the suit to propel yourself out of the explosion radius?"

Mischa@crystyll: "No, but I didn't know how to project dark matter fields until I did so a few moments ago, I shall attempt to do so. If you have active comms, can you contact my ship? They can transport us on board"

T'Lana@anncarise <C - Supervisor> "I am already out of the explosion radius. I will ask them to transport you first. Exit the suit immediately upon your return and we will reclaim it when we are on board."

Mischa@crystyll: "By all means. I'll just be here, floating aimlessly..."

T'Lana@anncarise: <C - Supervisor> "You give your word that you will not misuse the suit?"

Mischa@crystyll: "After what has happened on your ship, /my/ word is the last thing you should be calling into question!"

T'Lana@anncarise: <C - Supervisor> "I will hold you to it, then."

T'Lana@anncarise FX | A second later, Mischa disappears into a transporter beam...

T'Lana@anncarise | ...and reappears on her back on the Latenter's transporter pad.

Mischa@crystyll blinkblinks, looking around at the disorientating vantage point

T'Lana@anncarise rushes over to Mischa, running a tricorder over her, "Commander. Can you hear me?"

Mischa@crystyll: "I am fine T'Lana. We have to move away from the Regulator ship, it's going to breach!" she exclaims, sitting up

T'Lana@anncarise: "It has already. A dark matter implosion consumed both Regulator vessels. Our scans are detecting no Borg presence."

Mischa@crystyll gets back to her feet, and tries to exit the suit

T'Lana@anncarise: "We were out of the implosion's range and recovered you in time."

T'Lana@anncarise | The suit opens up around her and she feels her vision blacking out again, this time disorientating her so much it forces her to fall forward.

Mischa@crystyll stumbles as she steps out of the suit still disorientated

T'Lana@anncarise catches Mischa before she can collapse to the ground, her gaze turning to the suit, "You managed to obtain one of their suits intact?"

Mischa@crystyll glances back, "Call it a loaner..." she rubs her head, "What of the other survivors?"

T'Lana@anncarise: "We detected about one hundred Regulators in suits adrift outside the blast radius."

Mischa@crystyll: "You have communications established with them? Or at least their Supervisor I assume given that he relayed the message for you to beam me out"

T'Lana@anncarise: "I have indeed. They are requesting transport on board and a message sent to the nearest Array to notify the Regulators of what transpired."

Mischa@crystyll: "Do so. Arrange additional security and have medical in position for nanite screening before they are released from the buffers"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Are you sure, Commander? The Regulators do not know what occurred here. We possess one of their suits. This may be our only opportunity to obtain their technology without their awareness."

Mischa@crystyll: "We are Starfleet Intelligence, not Section 31. These are our allies, and they are in need of emergency aid. We can't just leave them floating out here in the void"

Mischa@crystyll glances to the suit, "Besides... Borg tech isn't the only variant that can be too dangerous in the wrong hands..."

T'Lana@anncarise: "And you believe the Regulators are the right hands for this? They are oblivious to the Horde threat. We can reverse-engineer this suit to create the implant defenses and much more."

T'Lana@anncarise: "The Regulators will never share more than the bare necessities. We need this to ensure our survival, and perhaps the survival of all sentient life."

Mischa@crystyll: "As well we need to reinforce our alliances. I share your concerns T'Lana, but out here we still have to more consciously balance our work with diplomacy"

T'Lana@anncarise FX | The transporter room, and T'Lana, flickers and disappears around her...

T'Lana@anncarise | Arbiter: "I have seen enough."

Mischa@crystyll: "And beyond that, abandoning allies in these circumstances is a step I am not willing to take. Bring the survivors on bo-..." looks around

T'Lana@anncarise | Mischa finds herself in a holodeck-like environment. Behind her stands the Arbiter, the four-eyed Operator and three other Regulators she does not recognize, two likely because they still have -

T'Lana@anncarise: - helmets up. None of them show any sign of assimilation.

Mischa@crystyll looks around and gives a nod of approval, "A very realistic simulation, congratulations"

T'Lana@anncarise | Arbiter: "I apologize for the deception. But it is easy for you to deceive us through dialogue alone. I needed to see you were truly genuine."

Mischa@crystyll: "You know that even our 'limited' technology is more than capable of seeing through the deceptions of biological lifeforms. I am sure you are more than capable of similar monitoring"

T'Lana@anncarise | Arbiter: "We are, but we have encountered methods of fooling them we did not previously anticipate. Besides, I find it far more accurate to judge one by their actions rather than their words."

T'Lana@anncarise | Arbiter: "That is why we have the Judgement, after all."

Mischa@crystyll smiles, "As my people say 'actions speak louder than words'. I approve your methodology and... apologize for disintegrating you against the bulkhead. No hard feelings, I trust?" she smiles

T'Lana@anncarise | The Arbiter smiles back, "I would wish you to do nothing less if I were truly compromised by the Borg. But you can rest assured that such a catastrophe has never occurred on a Regulator vessel -

T'Lana@anncarise: - and we have many protocols to ensure it will not occur in the future."

Mischa@crystyll: "The most fundamental of which being that you practice what you preach and are nowhere near so irresponsible with technology - of any level - as to bring about such an event"

Mischa@crystyll: "Anyway, with your test sufficiently satisfied I trust that we can now proceed collaboratively on the defensive countermeasure development?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Arbiter: "I am granting you conditional Type 1 access. The collaboration will proceed as soon as I have made my report to the Directors."

Mischa@crystyll dips her head, "Excellent. So tell me, purely as a point of curiosity... the interaction between myself and the suit; how accurately was that simulated?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Arbiter: "It was fairly accurate. We omitted a few functions and made it easier to acclimatize to, but it is a modified version of the simulation we use for our own trainees."

T'Lana@anncarise | Arbiter: "You will not be able to simply step into a Regulator's suit and use it as you did in the simulation, however. We have safeguards against such access."

Mischa@crystyll: "Fascinating. I was genuinely surprised at the ease of use, not to mention the sheer extent of power it was capable of exerting"

Mischa@crystyll: "Still... could have done without the nausea..." she chuckles

T'Lana@anncarise | The Arbiter smirks, "The capabilities are roughly accurate. The nausea is usually greater for first-time use. That is why we need training."

Mischa@crystyll: "And here I was, already sufficiently put off by what I experienced. Still, a most fascinating experience that I am grateful for"

T'Lana@anncarise rings the doorbell.

Mischa@crystyll: "Come in"

T'Lana@anncarise steps inside with a PADD in hand. "Commander."

Mischa@crystyll: "T'Lana" she looks up with a smile, "Another status update?" she guesses, gesturing an invite for TL to sit

T'Lana@anncarise takes a seat in front of Mischa, "A little more than that."

Mischa@crystyll: "Oh? Consider my curiosity sufficiently piqued" she leans back, listening attentively

T'Lana@anncarise sets the PADD on the desk, "With Regulator neural technology and Analyst assistance, we've managed to successfully recreate the implant using non-Borg technology. Initial evaluation of the -

T'Lana@anncarise: - refined model is very promising, and we will be proceeding to the initial tests."

Mischa@crystyll: "Excellent news indeed! The sooner we have a working defense, the sooner I'll feel like I can relax a little. I do not want another Trinity incident to deal with..."

T'Lana@anncarise: "There is one thing I have been thinking on, however..."

Mischa@crystyll: "Speak your mind T'Lana"

T'Lana@anncarise: "While our crew and the Regulators will implement this defense as soon as it is ready, the Valley Forge travels ahead of us. We have dealt with intermediaries of the Horde in Trinity space, but they -

T'Lana@anncarise: - are far more likely to encounter the direct influence of the Horde first. It will be imperative that we pass this defensive measure on to them."

Mischa@crystyll: "That may be difficult to do without betraying our standing mandate to shadow only. Remember that we are not accompany Keelah's mission"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Indeed, but on the other hand, if the crew of the Valley Forge were to become compromised, the Horde would gain significant knowledge into Starfleet operational protocols and tactical systems as -

T'Lana@anncarise: - well as data on Federation worlds and allies. Ensuring this does not occur falls under the purview of counterintelligence."

Mischa@crystyll nods, "I couldn't agree more, and whilst our orders stand. We have scope to countermand them at my discretion"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Fortunately, I may have a solution."

Mischa@crystyll smiles, "I had a feeling you were going to say that"

T'Lana@anncarise gives the slightest hint of a smile in return, or at least as close to one as typically seen in a Vulcan, "It still involves an amount of interference in the Forge's mission as we will be -

T'Lana@anncarise: - providing them the fruits of our research, but this solution will allow us to continue without revealing our presence."

Mischa@crystyll: "Sounds promising. What do you have in mind?"

T'Lana@anncarise: "We convince the Regulators to take full credit for its development. We are expecting to complete testing before we exit Regulated space at the end of this week, at which time both we and the -

T'Lana@anncarise: - Regulators will be able to produce versions of the encryption implant we are confident enough to equip our personnel with."

T'Lana@anncarise: "The Valley Forge currently has a Regulator analyst attached to the ship. When the Regulators next manage to contact their Analyst, they can then pass on the specifications of the implant to the -

T'Lana@anncarise: - Valley Forge."

Mischa@crystyll: "The Regulators are difficult to predict in their reaction to such a request"

Mischa@crystyll: "But... assuming they can be convinced, it is a sound theory indeed"

T'Lana@anncarise nods, "The Regulator implant has too much of their technology to pass off as anything else, but it would not be difficult to believe that it was something the Regulators developed on their own."

Mischa@crystyll: "The question then is simply a matter of selling them on the point of keeping our involvement and very presence here a secret from the Valley Forge"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Yes. They are no stranger to keeping information from others and are no doubt capable of it. Whether they will be willing to keep our involvement a secret is, as you said, unpredictable."

T'Lana@anncarise: "Despite working with their Analysts and travelling alongside them through their space, we have gained only a rudimentary insight into their protocols."

Mischa@crystyll: "Perhaps... with the spin of maintaining security over the specifications..."

T'Lana@anncarise: "That could work. They were reluctant to use technology needed to complete this project. They may be amenable to such a suggestion."

Mischa@crystyll: "It should certainly appeal to their instinct for keeping things to themselves"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Excellent thinking, Commander."

Mischa@crystyll chuckles, "Credit where it is due T'Lana. This was your idea after all"

T'Lana@anncarise: "It was the most logical approach to the situation."

Mischa@crystyll: "Nothing else would do" she smiles

Mischa@crystyll: "I will raise it with our resident Regulator once we have successfully completed trials"

T'Lana@anncarise nods, "There is also the question of whether the Regulators will continue to maintain an attache following the project and our departure from their space. I believe they could be convinced either -

T'Lana@anncarise: - way, but given our role in the project we should be fully capable of maintaining and refining the implant on our own."

Mischa@crystyll: "Agreed. Whilst I can see both benefit and and hinderence from a continued presence, I would interested to hear your recommendation on the matter"

T'Lana@anncarise: "I believe that while a Regulator would possess useful knowledge and technology, their continued presence on the Latenter is a risk. From what I have observed, they possess the capability to extract -

T'Lana@anncarise: - and decrypt any data from our computers, and ensure that we are helpless to stop them. They do not do so because they do not have a reason to."

Mischa@crystyll: "And in your opinion, the threat they pose outweighs the benefit of our access to their capability then?"

T'Lana@anncarise nods, "They are highly devoted to their own beliefs. They will cooperate with us where our beliefs align, but they will not hesitate to act against us should they find reason to. A single -

T'Lana@anncarise: - Regulator likely cannot bring down an entire Starfleet ship, but they may be capable of compromising our data."

T'Lana@anncarise: "They will also not be willing to provide assistance if it does not align with their goals. The Regulators believe that technology is not to be taken for granted and should only be employed if there -

T'Lana@anncarise: - is need for it. A Regulator attache would only provide us with their capabilities if they deem it appropriate, and even then they will only provide the bare necessity."

Mischa@crystyll: "Then we are in agreement. Potential advantages can not be allowed to compromise our purpose here. And that is the preservation of Starfleet's security"

T'Lana@anncarise nods, "If there is anything along this route that Regulator intervention may be needed for, the Analyst on the Valley Forge will likely assist with it ahead of our arrival, and the Analyst poses -

T'Lana@anncarise: - far less of a risk on a non-Intelligence ship."

Mischa@crystyll: "Indeed... just thinking about it now makes me worry that Captain Keelah won't be suitably equipped should the Analyst there decide mutual cooperation is no longer in their best interests..."

T'Lana@anncarise: "Fortunately, the Regulators' devotion to their morality does not make them drones and I have observed distinct personality differences between their individuals. From the accounts of the Analyst -

T'Lana@anncarise: - attached to the Valley Forge, it seems she is more curious and closer to traditional Starfleet values than many others of the Administration."

T'Lana@anncarise: "I suspect their posting of such an individual to a Starfleet exploration cruiser was not an accident."

Mischa@crystyll: "Agreed, we can only hope that it continues to be beneficial"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Indeed. There is also one other benefit should we not host a permanent Regulator attache."

Mischa@crystyll: "Oh?"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Though the Regulators have forbidden us from explicitly obtaining information on their technology, we still possess some basic scan data which they have accepted is inevitable. While it is not much -

T'Lana@anncarise: - to work with, we may wish to begin developing more countermeasures against Regulator technology, should they decide one day that the Federation is in need of their oversight."

Mischa@crystyll: "Every little helps" she smiles, "Still... it would be nice to get some detailed readings of those suits of theirs"

T'Lana@anncarise: "I doubt they will approve of anything save the most basic countermeasures the Valley Forge is working on, but without Regulator presence we will have more liberties to explore other defensive avenues.”

T'Lana@anncarise: "Despite my personal curiosity, I do not advise attempting to obtain more data on their technology. The risk is simply too great."

T'Lana@anncarise: "However, I believe your experiences with the Regulator simulation makes you more knowledgeable of their suits than any other Starfleet officer already. And you will likely remain such for a long time.”

Mischa@crystyll chuckles, "Don't worry, I am very much in your court there. Both with the personal curiosity and the unwillingness to take such risks"

T'Lana@anncarise: "You are certainly fortunate in having your curiosity sated more than most. Perhaps your experience with the simulation, despite it being simulated, may assist in our efforts to research -

T'Lana@anncarise: - countermeasures or at least better understand their capabilities."

Mischa@crystyll: "Honestly, I am just as intrigued by the prospect of emulating their technology. To harness and control dark matter as they do would be a boon to Starfleet"

Mischa@crystyll: "And I am talking strictly in terms of emulation here, no espionage plotting. Promise" she smiles

T'Lana@anncarise nods, "It would no doubt be useful, but likely also difficult. Given their complete lack of traditional weaponry, I am inclined to believe their technology evolved along a very different path."

Mischa@crystyll: "No doubt. But still, just seeing that it is technologically achievable makes it something worth pursuing I think"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Certainly. I will look into the possibilities, but this is likely to be more of a Daystrom Institute project than a Starfleet Intelligence one."

Mischa@crystyll: "Of course. Doesn't mean our engineering-inclined folks can't play with the data we have and begin to theorise"

T'Lana@anncarise: "It will be interesting to see what theories emerge."

T'Lana@anncarise: "This is all the updates and proposals I have for you at the moment, Commander. We will continue to focus on developing the encryption implant for the moment, and begin researching Regulator -

T'Lana@anncarise: - technology and possible defenses against that once we clear their space."

Mischa@crystyll nods, "Thank you for the update. I do so enjoy our little chats" she smiles, "And once we clear Regulator space, I am eager to close the gap on the Valley Forge. I assume you saw the last report we +

Mischa@crystyll: + intercepted?"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Of course. We will make up the space as quickly as possible. Our cloaking capability should make our journey through the region ahead attract far less attention than the Valley Forge did."

Mischa@crystyll: "Very good. Though I do not plan on interjecting with their mission, I do not want to be so far away that we can not come to their aid should they be in such a position again"

T'Lana@anncarise: "I will ensure the crew makes catching up to the Forge a priority once we exit Regulated space."

Mischa@crystyll: "If there is nothing further then?"

T'Lana@anncarise nods and stands, "I'll inform you if there are any other developments."

View Bonus Content

Mischa@crystyll another day on the Latenter as the crew go about their business. T'Lana exits a side room into one of the corridors

Mischa@crystyll | A small number of crew go about their day, nowhere near the crowds of a luxury liner like the VF, but certainly not desolate either. A few smile and greet TL in passing

T'Lana@anncarise nods back formally to the passing crewmembers.

Mischa@crystyll | Root lumbers around the corner, stopping rigidly in front of TL

T'Lana@anncarise pauses and looks at Root, "Something to report?"

Mischa@crystyll | Root gives a single nod, "Commander" and hands her a PADD

T'Lana@anncarise takes the PADD and nods back, "Thank you." She taps the device to skim what it is about before reading it properly.

Mischa@crystyll | Root explains as she does, "We have detected an event pattern in Scryer communications"

T'Lana@anncarise: "What does this pattern indicate?" she asks as she scrolls through the PADD.

Mischa@crystyll | Root: "The collapse of the Scryer Network" he answers flatly

T'Lana@anncarise raises a brow, "The Scryer Network has been attracting quite the amount of attention lately, which is far from ideal for an underground intelligence trading organization."

T'Lana@anncarise: "Though collapse was far from certain still. Something significant must have changed."

Mischa@crystyll | Root: "Yes" he adds, helpfully

T'Lana@anncarise checks the PADD for indications of a cause behind the new pattern.

Mischa@crystyll | The PADD doesn't show much, just that the Scryer has seemingly gone dark and the various cells around the galaxy are in disarray with speculation

T'Lana@anncarise looks back up to Root after scrolling through the PADD, "I will bring this report to the Commander. Keep me informed if any further details surface."

Mischa@crystyll | Root nods and turns away, heading back down the corridor

T'Lana@anncarise turns and heads towards the nearest lift as well, "Computer, locate Commander Leveson-Scott."

Mischa@crystyll | Computer: "Commander Leveson-Scott is in briefing room 1"

T'Lana@anncarise heads into the lift and makes for the briefing room.

T'Lana@anncarise checks the schedule as she heads to the briefing room to see if anything is scheduled there for this time.

Mischa@crystyll | There is nothing scheduled for this time

T'Lana@anncarise approaches the door, letting it slide open and slowly walking inside to ensure she isn't interrupting anything.

Mischa@crystyll | The room is empty, save for Mischa who stands by the window holding a cup of tea

Mischa@crystyll turns with a smile, "Lana. this is a surprise"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Commander. I would have expected you to be in your ready room or quarters if you were spending time alone."

Mischa@crystyll chuckles, enjoying a sip, "Quite. But sometimes a change of scenery is nice. Also, there is a nicer view from the window here"

T'Lana@anncarise nods and steps up to the window, "I understand what you mean. A different environment can stimulate different thoughts, leading to ideas and approaches that have not been attempted before."

Mischa@crystyll: "And what different ideas led you to seek me out now? Or was it just a soclal call?" she smiles

T'Lana@anncarise: "I must admit, I am still quite...curious to see you and Leona on the holodeck. But I am seeking you out due to a report I have just received."

Mischa@crystyll: "Oh?" she asks curiously over another sip, "Sounds serious" she gestures to a seat and takes a casual place herself

T'Lana@anncarise takes a seat as well, sliding the PADD across to Mischa, "It appears the Sryer has gone dark and the Network is spiralling into chaos."

Mischa@crystyll: "The Scryer?" she peruses the PADD, "Could it truly be?"

T'Lana@anncarise: "His actions have alienated many outside the Network and even caused opposition from within. I would not be surprised if he has been eliminated."

Mischa@crystyll: "True enough. But he's been pretty slippery so far, how do we know this isn't just another clone who has dropped in his place?"

T'Lana@anncarise: "While it is possible that he has simply faked his demise to rid himself of his present infamy, the fact that the Scryer has simply gone silent is unusual."

T'Lana@anncarise: "Few know the true identity of the Scryer, and it would not be difficult for him to simply claim to have been another individual and take over after his supposed death."

Mischa@crystyll looks up, "What a curious idea"

T'Lana@anncarise: "It is curious that no one has claimed the mantle yet. It would suggest that the Scryer has been eliminated, and likely by someone outside the Network. It is theorized that past Scryers have had a -

T'Lana@anncarise: - tendency to eliminate one another and assume the role, to the point that it is sometimes difficult to discern where one Scryer falls and another replaces them."

Mischa@crystyll: "That nobody has claimed the mantle certainly does suggest an outside influence, and that nobody else was either ready or willing to step up. Maybe they don't know it's an option..."

T'Lana@anncarise: "Prior reports indicates that many of the cells have been scattered as a result of the Scryer's aggrevations. These Eyes are likely deceased."

T'Lana@anncarise: "The others may be unwilling to take the position due to the notoriety that the Scryer had brought. The Network is meant to be discreet. Announcing oneself as the Scryer now may lead to -

T'Lana@anncarise: - whichever individual or cell doing so to become a target for whoever was responsible for the previous Scryer's demise."

Mischa@crystyll hrms, "What if someone were to take up the mantle but under the guise of still being the same Scryer?"

T'Lana@anncarise: "The current Scryer is not very well-liked, and his supporting cells have largely been decimated. Pretending to be the same individual may not be wise."

T'Lana@anncarise: "Unlike assuming the mantle of the Carran Eye, which has largely been neutral and regarded as such by others, the most recent Scryer has been a contentious subject."

Mischa@crystyll: "Ok then, bad idea. But assuming the mantle... that certainly brings possibilities"

T'Lana@anncarise: "Indeed. The data held by the Carran Cell suggests that the Network may have on occasion been led by members of prominent groups rather than true neutral personalities, or at least those sympathetic -

T'Lana@anncarise: - to these factions, so it would not be unprecedented if we were to take control. In fact the recent Scryer was much more of an outlier."

Mischa@crystyll smirks a little, "Glad to see we're on the same wavelength. Do we need to run this by our resident Eye?"

T'Lana@anncarise: "I would suggest doing so. We will need a plan for taking the mantle, as the previous Scryer's work has made it difficult to simply step in and pretend as if nothing has changed."

Mischa@crystyll stands, "Come on then. We should not want to dally and let someone else get in before us"

T'Lana@anncarise nods and stands as well.

Mischa@crystyll | The pair head off with a newfound sense of purpose to the day as they make their way to the isolated room which serves as their Cell interface

Mischa@crystyll walks into the Cell, "Eirril"

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril turns from tapping on the consoles, "Ladies. How can I help you today?"

Mischa@crystyll: "I assume you know what has transpired?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril nods with a slight smirk, "Of course. I have one job here, after all."

Mischa@crystyll: "Good. Then you should already know why we are here and be sufficiently prepared with the information we require"

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril: "Let me guess- you want Starfleet to have control over the Network."

Mischa@crystyll grins a little, "To be more specific, /I/ want to have control"

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril grins back, "Ambitious, aren't we? Scryers have always come and gone, and it normally would be pretty common for someone else to take the position. Like how I took over as the Carran Eye."

Mischa@crystyll: "Indeed. And before you get any funny ideas about me, I do want Starfleet to control this asset. But until we return to Federation space for me to advise the Chief directly, I do not want to risk +

Mischa@crystyll: + informing them. So for now, it will be just us who knows"

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril: "Don't worry, I won't tell on you. I don't think the Chief would trust my word anyways after what I pulled off. I do have a plan. No, not a plan. More of an idea at this stage, really."

Mischa@crystyll: "Go on" she smiles, moving to better see the screens

T'Lana@anncarise follows as well.

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril: "Allow me to be direct with you. You will not make a good Scryer. It's true, the Network has been controlled by representatives of galactic factions before, but these factions have been -

T'Lana@anncarise: - closer to the Romulan Star Empire or the Dominion. The position of Scryer requires a certain moral flexibility. Luckily for you, the last Scryer has all but destroyed the good name of the Scryer."

Mischa@crystyll: "All the more reason it now needs someone with a functioning moral compass. Do not underestimate me Eirril, you should know that by now" she smiles

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril: "I'm not saying you can't handle the stress of the job. But taking the mantle of Scryer is dangerous right now, and unwelcome."

T'Lana@anncarise nods, "As I have surmised as well."

Mischa@crystyll: "Well I wasn't exactly planning on putting out an annoucement, or updating my SpaceBook profile with it, if that's what you're getting it"

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril chuckles, "Not quite, but there was significant internal unrest which may very likely have contributed to the Scryer's downfall, and these cells are still wanting changes that will bring -

T'Lana@anncarise: - back the Network's glory days. This is an opportunity, Commander."

T'Lana@anncarise: "You wish to reform the Network."

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril: "Yes. Let the Scryer die. We make something new from the ashes."

Mischa@crystyll: "New... how exactly?" she asks with clear intrigue

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril smirks and taps the console, "By going back to something old. /Very/ old."

T'Lana@anncarise | The display in front of Eirril switches to show a number of texts and other data.

Mischa@crystyll continues watching

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril: "The Network's history has never been very clear, which is intentional, obviously. But I've been tracing it back, and there's a point where the name Scryer seems to have arisen."

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril: "I don't know if it was an intentional change or a result of translations, but during this period, the leader of the Network was referred by two words, one closer to the modern 'Scryer' -

T'Lana@anncarise: - or 'Seer' and the other something along the lines of 'Searcher.' Tracing that further back..."

T'Lana@anncarise | He taps the console again.

T'Lana@anncarise FX | https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/memoryalpha/images/8/8f/Iconian_script.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/340?cb=20200518234658&path-prefix=en

Mischa@crystyll 's eyes narrow, "Is that...?"

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril: "Late Dinasian, a language using adapted Iconian script. The earliest potential mention of the Network leader, and it translates to 'Seeker of Secrets.'"

Mischa@crystyll: "You really have been doing your homework" she smiles

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril smiles back, "I think we should abandon the name of Scryer. Go back as far as we can trace the roots of the Network. People aren't just going to go after the Scryer, but the name carries -

T'Lana@anncarise: - a certain expectation. An expectation that you don't meet. The Seeker though, is a part of Network history, but no one knows what it was like back then."

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril: "We use a name from the past to move the Network into the future."

Mischa@crystyll considers a moment before nodding, "I can certainly relate to such a sentiment"

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril: "Of course, there's still significant work to be done. We'll need to decide exactly what reforms to make and see what support we have. And regardless of how we play this, there's going -

T'Lana@anncarise: - to be opposition to deal with. If history teaches us one thing, it is that change never goes unresisted. I think it's by far the best option for you, though."

Mischa@crystyll: "That is where you come in. We need your expertise to ensure a smooth transition"

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril nods, "I'll do everything I can. This identity change suits your purposes, then?"

T'Lana@anncarise: "It is a logical step, as far as I can see."

Mischa@crystyll: "It is about time this galaxy was reminded that true intelligence is in fact a noble pursuit"

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril: "Then I will get to work immediately. I'm certain the Cells that have been pushing for change will stand with us. They will likely make up the core of the new Network power base, which -

T'Lana@anncarise: - means they will have a significant say on what reforms are ultimately made. But you will have ample say in it as well."

Mischa@crystyll: "If nothing else, this will be interesting" she smiles

T'Lana@anncarise | Eirril: "Indeed. I'll let you know when the basics have been set up. I'm sure these Cells will wish to speak with their new leader."

Mischa@crystyll: "I look forward to it" she nods, turning to leave wiht a glances to TL incase she had anything more to weigh in with

T'Lana@anncarise nods as well and turns to follow Mischa out.