Location: USS Paso Robles, Cargo Bay One

Lira was back in the cargo bay. She had just received the information from Captain Renato Gutierrez about their mission to the Talvath System, and how they were looking for trouble with the Tal Shair. She hated this plan, but she understood the risk, if they allowed the Tal Shair to stay in the area unchallenged. 

She then walked over to the containers, the Romulans on Talvath really did not need the Self Sealing Stem Bolts, it was a ploy for them to see if the Romulan Tal Shair were lurking in the near by area. It was a dangerous game of cat and mouse to play.

She was relieved that everyone was back on the USS Paso Robles. She heard from the grapevine that the Tal Shair might have set a decoy trap for the division support ships. She knew the Tal Shair was sneaky, but what were they really upto? 

Everyone was back aboard, and she knew the bridge was looking into the Talvath System. Being in cargo bay one, she was one of the last people to be notified. For all she knew, they could have been rescued. 

It was now getting closer to lunch time, and her friend T’Shan always came down and they went to lunch together. It had become their daily routine. She hoped T’Shan came soon, she wanted the latest scoop from the bridge. And her best friend was the girl who could provide that information. 

Like clock work, T’Shan entered the cargo bay, thirty two minutes passed the hour. T’Shan then simply looked to Lira, and asked the same question she always asked. “Ensign Chameer are you prepared to accompany me to the mess hall?” T’Shan asked, as she waited for Lira to respond. 

“You know I am, and I think you know what I am going to ask you next.” Lira said, giving her friend T’Shan a little heads up on what she wanted to know. 

“We found no trace of the Tal Shair or any Romulan ship coming to or from the Talvath System. The Captain is still having us proceed with the mission.” T’Shan said, trying to keep the gossip to a minimum. And give Lira the answers she was seeking. 

“Seriously, then why did they attack the Horatio, that makes no sense.” Lira said, trying to wrap her mind around the idea. Why attack a supply ship, if not to provoke the Federation into investigating the incident and not heading to the colony. 

“Logically it does not make sense.” T’Shan said, as she tried to discover the reasoning as well. She was trying to contemplate the logic in these attacks, and she was not able to discover it. She needed more evidence in order to make a proper hypothesis.

“Have there been any other sightings or attacks?” Lira asked, as she looked to T’Shan and the two ladies walked out of cargo bay one. 

“No, the Tal Shair have gone silent again.” T’Shan said, wondering what the Tal Shair were up to. She had a feeling this was not the last they would see of the Tal Shair. 

Location: USS Paso Robles, Mess Hall 

Rosa was busy in the mess hall when T’Shan and Lira strolled in. They made it quickly through the chow hall line, and then took two seats. “I love her meatloaf, but I see that you tofu salad, does that tofu really meet you’re protein requirements?” Lira asked. 

“No it does not, its a cosmetic affect for the benefit of the crew. I have three protein shakes a day in order to get the supplements I need from it.” T’Shan simply explained to her. 

“You do that for the benefit of the crew?” Lira said, a little surprised to hear that. It was foolish but very thoughtful at the same time. The crew needed to expect her for who she was, and not for what they wanted her to be. 

“Indeed, I got tired of the eyes always staring at me.” T’Shan said, with a stoic tone. She started to dig into her plate of food and eat. 

“That is very kind of you to do, but it’s not necessary. The crew will accept you no matter what you eat.” Lira pointed out to her. She still thought it was foolish, but it was done with the best intentions, and that made her respect T’Shan even more. 

“I do not want any un-neccesary attention brought upon me.” T’Shan simply replied. She meant what she said. She just wanted to be treated normal, and did not want people to think she was some sort of freak. Even though she does her best not to show her feelings, she still has them. 

“That is going to be hard to do, T’Shan you are a senior officer on a Starship. You will be reconized, and you will be observed.” Lira pointed out to her. 

“I understand that, but it was an attempt to make the crew feel more comfortable around me. A Vulcan who only eats salad, was giving me un-necessary attention. The Tofu is starting to grow on me. The chef has been experimenting with the spices.” T’Shan pointed out to Lira. 

“You are the most thoughtful person I know, T’Shan.” Lira said, with a warm smile on her face as she took a few bites from her meatloaf. 

“Praise is appreciated, Lira.” T’Shan said, as she stared at her for a moment. Even though her face was stoic in its approach, her eyes were practically saying, ‘thank you.’

Lira then decided to change the topic, and place it on her. “So I had a talk with Jaxon, he promised me that he will notify me when he is going to work late.”

“So your situation was resolved then?” T’Shan said, as she continued on. “The Lieutenant is a good man, and a good officer.” T’Shan simply said, as she tried to find the words to tell her how she felt. She was relieved that Jaxon was receptive to Lira’s requests and ideas. 

“I get what you are trying to say, and I am happy too T’Shan.” Lira said, with a warm smile on her face. She really appreciated the support of T’Shan. 

Location: USS Paso Robles, Bridge

“It has been four hours, and no sighitngs of the Tal Shair or any unusual activity in the system.” Mira suggested to the captain. She wondered what he made of these facts. 

“Maybe we are looking at this the wrong way.” Renato said, as looked to Mira then continued on. “Maybe they are not planning an attack on the colony.” 

“What do you think it is Captain?” Mira asked, curious to learn more about his theory. So far he had heard other theories. She wondered what his theory would be. 

“Maybe they are trying to keep us guessing, where they are going to be next. It could be about fear and intimidation.” Renato suggested to Mira. 

T’Shan walked back onto the bridge when the Captain was telling the first officer about his possible theory into the Tal Shair’s behavior. 

“He brings up a good point.” Malek comes out in support of his captain. “They did not take anything from the Horatio, and they take anything from the Romulan Citizens on Talvath.” He pointed out to Mira. 

Zara was also on the bridge. “That could be a good way to spread fear, have the Tal Shair lurking behind every nebula, and have then attack at random without provocation.” 

“It’s possible, but we do not have any proof of it, only gut feelings and our own emotions to guide us on this one.” Renato said, as she looked around the bridge. “We need to find answers. We will continue our course to the Talvath System for the time being.” Renato said, as the scene starts to fade away.