Posted by Civilian Jal’na of House Duroc (Head of Physical Therapy - Sacred Heart Hospital) in A Warm Family Visit

Posted by Civilian Urg’tohn, Son of the House of Duroc (Klingon Warrior) in A Warm Family Visit

Posted by Civilian Tyson Webster Rousseau (BIA Senior Field Agent) in A Warm Family Visit
Posted by… suppressed (38) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Tyson Webster Rousseau sat in the window seat of the incredibly well-appointed shuttle as it banked over the partly dreary afternoon sky above OED V on final approach to City Center Terminal. His black eyes took in the vastly expanded colony, already an equal to his beloved New Paris. He could see the massive Government Tower and the near equally dramatic Holloway Tower in the city’s northwest quadrant. Rousseau never really cared for space travel, unlike many he knew, the sharply dressed man in seat A-1 looked at space travel like old Earth viewed air travel… a means to an end.

That end, today at least, was to visit his ‘little sister’, the colony’s Chief Justice. He nearly laughed at the thought. How bad off do these people need to be to have a waste of atmosphere like Astrid running their entire Justice department!? As trumped up, pigheaded, and full of her own grandiose self that she was, Rousseau wondered whom she’d dragged to bed to get such a powerful position so soon in her career. Positions is more like it! Rousseau huffed a soft laugh as the shuttle landed and the light in the First Class Cabin, his cabin, clicked off and let the passengers of actual importance… like himself… off the shuttle before the peasants in the back spilled out like cattle.

At just over six feet tall, Tyson Rousseau’s broad shoulders and perfectly tailored suit gave him a stunning appearance. As he stood, the dark storm of indignation that he almost always felt towards the joke that was his stepfather’s oldest daughter was pushed down inside him, and the warm, friendly, polished charm he was always known for… from colleagues to conquests… washed over his features and as he grabbed his bag, he winked to the golden-haired attendant as he walked by. Tyson had noticed how she had slipped a small scrap of paper in his suit coat pocket as she was handing it back, and he had felt her fantasizing about him most of the flight. He had even played it up once, making sure she was so turned on that she nearly spilled his neighbor’s coffee when it came time for her to come within reach of him. Tyson always enjoyed screwing with the minds of human girls… so easy to manipulate. But as attractive as the young woman was, Tyson Rousseau wouldn’t be caught dead in bed with a service industry worker. A commoner… no better than those in the back Tyson thought as he gave the girl one last charming smirk and walked out to his waiting EGV to take him to the Hilton.

After settling in and unpacking, Tyson went to work. He knew better than to toy with anything near that lunatic Molly Holloway’s damn boyfriend’s floor in Government Tower. He’d heard what happened to the rogue agent that had gone after Lucas Holloway and the CCDA General. Rousseau had absolutely zero desire to end up like Newton. The man physically shivered at the thought of the unrecognizable former Section 31 agent. The BIA Senior Field Agent merely piggybacked off two dozen signals for a total of just 13 seconds to ensure he had the right office… and there she was. He’d recognize that stupid look on her face anywhere. Once he knew where Astrid was, he killed the link, brought up the city cams from all available staff entrances to the building, and went back to work, making sure that he would not be discovered by anyone besides her.

He had used his connections to attend that pathetic excuse for a gala and watched his sister from across the room. Tyson knew that, on a very subconscious level, she felt his presence. But she likely felt she was going crazy because he never announced himself, and as far as she knew, he was last working in Paris on a banking fraud case. After enjoying the mental gymnastics, so many people were exhausting themselves around him to do… making pretty faces for the cameras… Tyson knew he had better things to do.

Hours Later

Following an incredibly sneaky breach of the Chief Justice’s personal security, which included a pair of short-range point-to-point transports and a masterful piece of work popping the lock on the service entrance to Artrid’s place while remaining completely undetected, Tyson cracked the seal on a bottle of water and waited in a chair in the living room, a wrist comm tied into the camera above her front door to ensure he was not interrupted. That’s why he was able to vanish with the arrival of Lord Duroc before anyone were the wiser.

Once the party had left, Tyson blended in and laid in wait until he was certain all had moved on. Astrid went to take her standard evening shower, which was useless in Tyson’s opinion, and he waited for her to close the door behind her before moving back into the room. There he waited completely comfortable in the knowledge Astrid would come out wrapped in some ridiculous robe.

Just as he predicted, Astrid had taken a shower after her main security contingent and the additional security from Lady Duroc had left. She felt safe once more in the confines of her home. It had been breached when she had first arrived by some thugs working for a local criminal. After that additional precautions were taken and Astrid had been learning self defence from the Chief of Police and from Lord Durocs people ever since. She was fit in a way she had never been before and the feeling of peace in her home had been hard won.

She left her bathroom clad in a long flowing velvety robe that buttoned at her waist with tiny buttons. Her hair was up in a towel but as soon as she passed from the bathroom to her bedroom, she took it down. Her thick dark waves fell over her shoulder, free from the hair spray and pins of the earlier updo.

Having a desire for a snack, she picked up her brush and made the choice to leave her room to head to the kitchen. She knew there was plenty of things to nosh on because her cook made sure the kitchen was fully stocked.

Then a voice the young woman knew very well spoke in the disdainful manner that instantly identified the speaker from the chase by the fireplace.

“My God… I can’t believe you actually wore that trash to such a ridiculous ball?! Honestly, Astrid… I would have thought by now you’d’ve developed a modicum of taste.”

Tyson Rousseau

She had gotten theee steps out of her bedroom and had started to brush her hair absentmindedly when the voice stopped her cold. Of course she recognized it. Her step brother Tyson had terrorized her for years in her family home on New France. She stopped breathing and the blood drained from her face causing her typically porcelain completion to turn a ghostly white.

Her dark blue eyes turned though the rest of her was paused like a statue. Her gaze confirmed what her mind refused to believe. Surely he was not here. Surely he would not come all the way here. She was nothing but a toy to him and long away from his reach. Surely he had forgotten about her by now and found more interesting prey. But there he was, sitting on her chaise lounge, every bit the man she remembered and had haunted her nightmares.

Tyson simply sat there, a raised eyebrow bringing terror to the half-blood embarrassment standing before him. She would NEVER be as good as he was, in anything. The suit he wore was worth a month of most people’s salary, his skin and posture perfect. His body was a tool as much as his brain to get whatever he wanted it and he knew it.

She calculated where her weapons were and how distinctly she was vulnerable in her robe and nothing else. Before she had come to OED V, she would have immediately run or she would have been so blind with terror, that she would have frozen like a fawn, terror blinding her to doing anything else. Now she took a deep breath and let it out, relaxing her shoulders and using her mind. He still terrified her, but she was not so easy a prey now.

Tyson smirked, watching her take in her surroundings and he could feel the fight or flight flair with in her. She was such a great toy… had been since day one. The only good part of that tramp seducing his pathetic excuse for a father was the absolute joy it was to be handed on a silver platter as his mother had worked her magic to maintain their own quality of life.

Astrid continues to brush her hair, taking on the air on nonchalance. “Tyson,” she said, finding her voice stronger than she expected. “I don’t care about your opinions or why you are here. Get out.”

Did she expect such a simple request to work? No, but she finally placed one foot in front of the other to continue her way to the kitchen as if he had never arrived.

Rousseau, HotJ

Tyson rose from the chaise and followed Astrid to the kitchen, the same knowing smirk on his face that Astrid had known most of her life. As he entered the kitchen, he stopped and leaned against the door frame, knowing his presence had the same impact as it always had. “My my my… look at you, little sis…” He spoke the last two words with a slightly scoff. “… finally learning to speak up for yourself, how sweet.”

She tried not to feel elated that he followed her into the kitchen instead of stopping her. The weapons were within easy reach in that room. He was a physically imposing person but she had been fighting men his size or bigger for over a year. She wasn’t confident she could beat him but she would make him hurt if he got physical with her. She wasn’t 16 and a nerdy book nerd who had to protect two siblings from the monster now in her home.

Taking a sip from his bottle of water, Tyson watched his sibling with visible distain. “I can’t imagine that you would want to be such a disrespectful host to a member of your own family!” His words were as he shook his head with a chuckle. “I was a bit surprised that you hadn’t bagged you some schmuck… but with the rapid manner in which you accelerated your own career, I’d guess it would be hard to find a man when you’ve clearly spent most of your free time on your back.”

She wanted to roll her eyes at this age old joke. He had come prepared for a slightly older version of the kid he tortured. She wasn’t that kid anymore. His dig at how she got the progress of her career was hard won and he couldn’t take that accomplishment from her. Setting down her brush she turned and faced him with a kitchen island between them.

There was a soft laugh before he took another sip of water and smiled, that cold smile he always had in private. “Here I was, thinking I would drop by and see family while I was out this way… not a welcome, not even a hi… just a kiss my ass and bye! Such callous behavior, Chief Justice.” The way he spoke her title was like it were a joke, his judgmental gaze never leaving her. “By the way, your security is a damn joke in this godawful place. I was in in less than 20 seconds. This planet is a cesspool… you should be more careful.” It was the only halfway kind thing he’d said to her in years.

Tyson

“You aren’t my family. You never wanted to be so have what you want. I am not your sister despite who my father married. Your jibes at my accomplishments font hurt me. I am not some insecure child anymore. The only joke here is you, expecting me to bow down shake like a rabbit at the intrusion into my home.” She pressed the emergency button that called for security. “You never cared for my safety. Don’t start caring now Tyson. Get out.”

Rousseau. HotJ

Tyson saw her arm flinch ever so slightly as she triggered the silent alarm and the rage that glowed from his black eyes would have frozen the heart of a star. His eyes focused sharply on her as he slowly raised his hands in front of him, pulling back a sleeve on a wrist comm.

“You always were an uppity little b**** that never learned her place in this world.” His tone was ferocious as much as it was cold and calculating. As a single eyebrow raised, he looked dead in her eyes as he could hear the security trying desperately to quickly enter the house. “Since you want to play games, Astrid, I guess I’ll just have to take this up with Marguerite. Remember… this was your choice.”

As the first guard burst into the room, ordering Tyson to freeze, the transport pattern shimmered around him and he was gone.

Tyson

Before she even had a moment to react, she was pulled from the kitchen by half a dozen security people and quickly taken into a vehicle. Once there and on their way to a safe house near her office, Astrid reflected on his flash of anger, so hot and deep it could burn her if she ever got close enough.

She shivered with her fully body. Alex, one of her guards noticed and quickly moved to retrieve a blanket and wrap it around her. Meanwhile the rest of the team was doing a sweep and starting to figure out how Tyson had gotten in.

It didn’t take long for them to move her to the safe house, though the trip was complicated by switchbacks and vehicle transfers to ensure she was not followed. Once settled in the safe house, it’s dark walls a contrast to her own villa, she allowed herself to finally feel her emotions.

Her knees grew weak enough that she had to sit abruptly onto the couch. Tears fell down her cheeks like rain as she shook and sobbed, feeling every bit the little girl that he had thought her tonight. Why had he come all the way here? She didn’t believe for a second he was just visiting. It took a long time for her body to expell the emotions and fear she felt. Finally after hours of hell, she fell asleep on that couch, her hair still damp and smelling of her perfume.

Rousseau, HotJ

Elsewhere

Tyson settled into the comfortable chair inside his suite at the OED’s Hilton. Looking out from the 37th floor, he finished his bottle of water with a smirk on his face. He knew the one kid that had rounded the corner hadn’t gotten a good look at him, which was his intent. The only person truly aware of his presence on OED was his worthless stepsister. He had been very careful to not travel under his own name but a well documented and established alias that he’d used off and on for nearly five years.

He looked at the counter in the kitchen, where a box of custom designed contacts sat in their box. Able to be worn for days on end, the contacts… capable of giving his eyes a natural dark blue color… were light sensitive and adjusted automatically like a regular human eye, but didn’t box Tyson’s vision at all. Though, if all goes well… they would be unnecessary.

Picking up a PaDD and tapping it a few times, Tyson found what… well, who… he was looking for. Eela was an attractive woman for her age. He spent the next few hours learning everything possible about Captain Eela Dasca.

Tyson Rousseau

Zahia Muhir the security lead for the Chief Justice on OED V looked around Miss Rousseau’s home and sighed heavily. This Stepbrother was a serious problem. It had been several years since the Chief Justice had had her home broken into and her peace violated. It had been his job to keep it that way, but somehow… somewhere, he had gotten lazy. There was no excuse for it. Once he was able to choose a replacement better than himself, he would resign.

Miss Rousseau had been a good boss and he felt the burden of having let her down. Now he had to tell the police Chief and did not look forward to the conversation. He lifted his video con device and put the call into Joseph Karlsons private line.

“Sorry to disturb at so late an hour Chief, but we have a big problem at Justice Rousseau’s.”

Zahia Muhir, Head of Chief Rousseau’s Personal Security

Joseph answered immediately, his personal line was restricted for most so anyone calling him at this time was doing so for a good reason. He immediately moved from his bedroom to his wife’s office which connected to their bedroom and sat down “Go on Muhir, what happened?” He used his wife’s computer to access his system to check the status of Chief Rousseau. She was on the move, which was bad, he checked the system for her residence and saw that security had dropped for some time, he was already not in a good mood.

Commissioner Karlson

“Chief Rousseaus security has been compromised. Her step brother which whom she is estranged, broke in her home and though he did not threaten her per se, she is terrified after their confrontation. He transported out just before Lord Duroc’s extra security ran in with my team. My team is working to ascertain how he managed to pull this stunt but so far we have not been able to.”

“Chief Rousseau is being transported to her secondary safehouse but she is badly shaken. There is no pictures or video of him. No record of him coming to OED V. The only picture we have of him in the system is from when he was a young teenager.”

Muhir

Joseph leaned back in his chair and considered “Redirect to the Karlson Manor, I’ll have patrols clear routes on your discretion and form an escort.” He said his voice cold steel “Have the Duroc security and your own loop into the frequency I’m sending now, it’s my personal details external frequency, we’ll loop you in to our closed network when you get into my cordon” Joseph tapped a message for his team, the manor was being closed down, transporter inhibitors were doubled and patrols increased.

He considered for a moment if he should reach out to Starfleet and the CCDA but thought better of it, it could wait for a while.

Commissioner Karlson

“Consider it done sir.” Muhir looked grave and for a moment, it looked like he was about to apologize, but thought better of it. Better to simply deal with the here and now and apologize later when those he had let down were ready to hear it. Right now, The Chief needed to be safe and where could be more safe than at the Police Commissioner’s estate. Astrid had been there regularly over the last three years learning how to shoot and becoming friends with the Commissioner and his wife. She would be more comfortable there than a blank safe house. He nodded as if to himself. “Our teams will give you the eta once they have rerouted sir.”

As he disconnected the call, he quickly set about to transmitting the new orders and then turned to begin to pull together the report the commissioner would surely want. He also gave permission for Lord Duroc’s team to contact him and inform him on the security breach.

Astrid did not stir as she was picked up and carried to the vehicle. She dozed as it drove through the city but she was too exhausted to ask why, assuming they were taking her to a more permanent safe house. When they pulled into the Karlson Manner driveway, escort vehicle in tow and came to a stop, she sighed softly in relief. Only when being picked up by one of the Klingon security guards from the back seat did she finally stir awake from the heavy exhaustion that had overcome her at the initial safe house. He easily scooped her out and set her down but supported her as they walked toward the door, letting her head rest on his broad shoulder, gentle despite his bulk. “I am Al’tok, one of the extra security assigned from Lord Duroc’s House to guard the Chief Justice.”

Rousseau, HotJ

Rousseau, HotJ

Joseph stood outside the main entrance to the French-designed manor. He stood there with a half smile and hands behind his back. He wore grey sweatpants, a UFP Marine Corps t-shirt and a pair of bright green fluffy slippers. His full moon spectacles hung low on the ridge of his nose. There was no visible security on the approach but a short man in a suit stood behind Joseph clearly part of his Security, his gaze going over each member of Rousseau’s team, lingering slightly longer on the Klingons, those more experienced would see where there would be gaps in the manor security there were in fact shimmers, either a cloaked guard or outpost. Joseph nodded to the door giving the Chief Justice an affable grandfatherly smile “Straight in and up the stairs, left hallway and to the right, Neema’s setting up your room” He spoke directly to Astrid but looked at the Klingon. There was a prominent bulge on his lower back, Joseph had some form of weapon securely strapped there under his comfortwear.

Astrid relaxed even more as she saw Joseph at the door of his home. She gave him a soft but exhausted smile in return and slipped past him to follow his directions. She knew she was safe here in a way that her home no longer felt. For the second time in two years, her home had been broken into… her security failed and her safe space violated. While she could now have handled any ruffians like the ones that had first intruded on her home, her brother was another matter. His visit was more psychological damage and fear than simple breaking and entering.

The tapped City View cameras picked up the whole exchange as Tyson watched the interaction on his viewer at the Hilton. He was quite confident that he wouldn’t be detected, much less found and he smirked as Astrid entered the Commissioner’s home. Ah… so, that’s her mark. I was right to follow the damn car He thought as he brought up a file on Karlson. Tyson wasn’t the least bit surprised at the lack of connectivity to the outside world for the home, like the Commissioner’s home was a digital void. No bother Rousseau finished his sandwich as he read up on Karlson, finding the man’s background both impressive and a challenge to overcome.

He took a step to the side as Astrid passed and looked at her Security Chief, Muhir. His affable expression was gone as he scanned his own driveway like a hawk looking for a mouse, he stood on the balls of his feet as if prepared to run in any direction. He didn’t have his cane nor was he wearing a bulky suit that somewhat disguised his figure, he did not look like a man in his seventies with some age-related frailties, he looked every bit the soldier. “Zahia, Report”

Commissioner Karlson

Zahia Muhir stepped forward as Al’tok stepped back. He presented Commissioner Karlson with his report on a PaDD. “Sir we are still figuring out the security breach within the system. It was master crafted and we have a specialist looking into it because it is too subtle for our on site team to find. He used a transporting beam into the house and out just as our security was notified of the breach and reacted. They could have been faster, and we will be addressing response times and security sweeps immediately to close gaps.” He looked past Karlson to make sure that Astrid was gone so she would not hear before he continued. “Tyson Webster Rousseau is her step brother. She has not seen him for many years. He of course is on our list of people not allowed within her vicinity and listed as a serious danger. His whereabouts are still unknown. We did not find record of his entering OED V. We are limited in our search of him beyond that. There is a file on him… such as it is… in the report. I am afraid there is little on this man.”

Rousseau, HotJ

Al’tok turned and moved back towards the vehicle before making the call to Lord Duroc. He knew it was the middle of the night and that the Son of the House of Duroc had been at the Gala and likely was exhausted, but he was honor bound to report his failure. He stepped inside the vehicle and transmitted the video conference request.

Al’tok
Head of House of Durok Contingent of Security for Astrid Rousseau

OOC: cross posted here

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Joseph nodded as he read the short file “I’ll have some of my detectives look at the scene. He’s Betazoid?” He asked not expecting an answer “Bothersome, we had a not-so-dissimilar issue with a Betazoid a decade back. I’ll have to open the vault.” he said this mostly to himself “What’s the background, why is he on the blacklist?” He asked, with one hand he made movements, almost sign language but not quite, to the short bald man in a suit behind him who nodded and entered the manner.

Commissioner Karlson

Zahia nodded, confirming the man was Betazoid. As the question was given, Zahia pointed to a second file on the PaDD. “Justice Rousseau puts him on the black list of any facility she works at and any security team she has working for her. She will not speak of him except to say that he is dangerous, obsessed with her, and she wants nothing to do with him … at least she hasn’t clarified anything to me since I was assigned two years ago after the first breach.”

“Sir, as you are well aware, the Justice is a very self assured, confident woman. She has been working diligently since her home was first broken into, to become well versed in self defense but tonight.... She was clearly terrified though he had not so much as touched her. I believe we are dealing with abuse of some kind, likely long term from her childhood. That level of fear was ingrained and automatic, almost primal.”

Zahia Muhir, Lead Security for HotJ

Joseph nodded, wasn’t the first time he’d seen something like this. This wouldn’t be solved with his usual tact of finding and either eliminating the hostile or arresting him for crimes yet undiscovered. “Alright, there’s a guardhouse and command centre across the driveway you can use to coordinate with my team and the Klingons, get some rest, food and check up on our setup” He told the Security Chief “I’m gonna go speak with Rousseau, she won’t be targeted today but my secondary teams are still coming in for extra security and I’m putting my tertiary team under your command, it’s mostly former Marines a bit more combat heavy unit than what you have currently but they follow orders.”

Commissioner Karlson

Zahia was surprised that Commissioner Karlson was giving him more command. A look of confusion crossed his face and he hesitated about turning around to follow the orders from the older man. Surely the Commissioner had to know he was not the best person for this. Indecision made he stay where he was for a few long seconds before he took a step forward and spoke his mind. “Commissioner.... I do not know that I am the person you want in charge here. I obviously have failed the Chief Justice already. Surely there are qualified candidates to take it from here.”

He paused again for a long moment, obviously upset by his having failed so horribly, before continuing. “I had planned on tendering my resignation as soon as the Justice has recovered from her ordeal.”

Zahia Muhir

Joseph turned so abruptly that it seemed more like he suddenly appeared directly in front of the younger bodyguard “Son you don’t get to quit because of a mistake. You investigate, see what went wrong and how it can be improved and if the Chief Justice wants you gone then you’re either fired or asked to resign, but it isn’t up to you” He said in a low but commanding tone of voice “You’re only in command of your own team, I’m assigning a team of eight tier one operators to you for the foreseeable future. For now you report to him” he thumbed back to the short bald man who had returned from inside the manor “You got infiltrated by what seems like a professional, likely trained in tradecraft if he got past your security measures, that you should note are approved by me” He jabbed a finger at his chest “And I’m an expert on these matters, no way in hell I’m handing in my resignation. Am I understood?”

Commissioner Karlson

Zahia stopped as abruptly as the Commissioner appeared in front of him, having stopped forward progress. He blinked as Karlson dressed him down and gave him the lay of the land. IT gave him a great deal of perspective to remember that the Commissioner himself had approved the security measures that had been put in place after the initial break in by thugs to the Chief Justice’s residence. He jutted his chin out with a sense of renewal to his purpose, a serious expression on his face. “Yes sir.”

Muhir

Joseph nodded to himself then turned on his heels entered the manor and went to find Rousseau who was being fussed over by his wife. Already having been supplied with at least three hot beverages and a variety of blankets “How are you Astrid?” Joseph asked

Commissioner Karlson

Astrid was smiling softly at something funny the Commissioners wife had just said. Being in a home she knew well and with people she trusted helped immensely with getting her feet under her again. She was sitting on the bed cross legged and sipped a steaming hot cup of tea. Despite being significantly more disheveled than usual, she had started to return to her poise and grace. To her surprise, her hand did not even shake as she brought the cup up to her lips.

As Joseph walked in, she turned and sighed deeply. “I am feeling a bit better. I am sorry to be such a hassle. Thank you for taking me in Joseph.”

Joseph smiled warmly “Of Course Astrid”

Tyson wondered how to best get his point across but decided against direct action on the Karlson residence nor messaging his sister again tonight. For now, he would wait… let her get back her comfort and confidence. He was fine and had all the time in the world.

Tyson Webster Rousseau

A large slider with a symbol emblazoned on the rear doors came into the Commisioner’s home drive and came to a stop. Before the driver could get out, the rear door on the driver’s side slid open and out stepped one the largest Klingons to ever bring glory to Kah’less.

Urg’thon, Son of Kvaar’ton the Builder, Favored of the Black Hammer of He Who Sits At The Right Hand of The Unmerciful One, Lord of House Duroc stood over seven feet tall and weigheded in at almost a quarter of a ton… almost all of it muscle, devotion, and… at the moment… sheer unadulterated rage. But unlike most Klingons, he wasn’t stomping and snorting and breaking anything (or anyone) he could get his hands on. No… instead he was singularly focused. And even through a vid screen, his hatred for the one who accosted his friend was absolutely palpable.

As Urg walked towards the house, one of the guards approached. “Sir! You will have to leave right now! The Commis-” and another guard grabbed his shoulder. “No no no no no no no no… leave him alone. See that symbol on the car? Remember that. House Duroc. Commisioner and House Duroc are… friendly. And trust me, when it comes to Lord and Lady Duroc… you definitely want to be on their good side.” The first guard stopped and his eyes went wide. “Duroc… That’s the ones that stopped that terrorist attack a year or so back, yeah? Something like they stopped a bomb or something?” The second guard stood tall as Urg approached. “Lord Duroc. Please go right on.” Urg grunted in response and walked past. The second guard then said softly “Yeah… stopped the bomb, sure. But what they didn’t put in the report is that that guy and his two brothers killed an entire Klingon ship’s crew and their Naussican partners; then walked into the meeting the Commissioner was having with the Klingon House that hired them to plant the bomb and dumped a bag full of the crew’s heads across the table.” He watched as Urg walked inside and said very quietly “That whole family is f&<king insane.”

Jal’na had been next to Urg, exiting the slider from the otherside. She slowed a step, curious to overhear what the guards were saying. She laughed, “Gentlemen, insanity is a matter of perspective. To us, you are all quite insane.” She grinned, but it was a little too feral to be comforting.

Inside, Urg walked to where the Commissioner was. “Brother. What do we know? And I will kill him. You know this.”

Urg, Lord Duroc

Joseph raised a hand to halt his friend’s heated speech, taking him by the shoulder and leading him to the doorway of the room”Hold off on that thought” He said quietly “This is something that I suspect would be better for young Astrid to deal with” He gave the Klingon a tight smile “This is her dragon to slay, as it were.” He looked back at Astrid and his wife “As far as I can tell her brother somehow broke into her apartment and exchanged words, perhaps threats. We don’t yet know how he did it but she’s very shaken up.” He looked back up at Urg “Once she’s had a moment to gather herself we’ll go by her direction”

His smile showed teeth in an almost Klingon expression of predatory glee “We can just tip the scales in her favour” He took his hand of Urg’s shoulder “For now I’ll handle protection and investigation, you prepare for direct operations. I’m assigning my brother to your command, he’ll be able to shore up any additional resources you need and you won’t find a better scalpel this side of the Neutral Zone” He turned back to Astrid and nodded “Finding and killing one Betazoid is no problem, the issue at hand is getting her to overcome this particular demon in a way that is satisfactory to her.” Joseph needed to make sure to guide Urg to hit the correct target, much like how one guided a Quantum Torpedo, there was always going to be considerable damage but perhaps he could lessen the Duroc’s destructive potential. He knew his older brother would complain endlessly about being voluntold to work for the Klingon but if anyone could find good use for an assassin it would be Lord Urg’tohn

Commissioner Karlson

Jal’na entered the house behind Urg and followed him. He spoke to the Commissioner, but Jal’na scanned the room, spotting Astrid. Next to her was Neema - if she remembered correctly. Neema was a talented doctor, and Jal’na had spoken to her in passing once or twice at the hospital. They stayed busy enough, that knowing the staff and knowing people individually were very different. Jal’na left the Commissioner to discuss with Urg and made her way over to the other two women. “Dr. Neema, I am Jal’na, Lord Duroc’s wife.” She may or may not remember Jal’na personally but would know her as the head of Physical Therapy, but she hoped stating her relation to Urg would quickly answer the question of why she was there.

Neema smiled at the Klingon Lady and gave a bow of her head, hand on her side near where the symbiont resided within her, a slightly formal, archaic, greeting a Trill might give a peer “Be welcomed to my house, I’ve been wanting to meet you here for some time, it saddens me that we must formally meet under such circumstances” She spoke differently here than during her time at the hospital, warmer and more kindly.

Jal’na bowed her head respectfully. “Thank you for your welcome. I too wish it was under happier circumstances. We shall remedy that soon.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

She turned her warm gaze on Astrid. “I am so sorry my friend, that I left you. I should have stayed longer.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Neema Lar

Astrid looked up as Jal’na exchanged pleasantries with Neema. She could see Duroc on the other side of the doorway having an intense conversation with Joseph. She felt so warmed and cared for by their presence and concern for her wellbeing. Only now did her hand start to tremble as she realized how much she valued their friendships. She took a moment to steady herself before she set down her cup of tea.

“No one could know that he would arrive. I had taken a shower and was going to the kitchen for a snack when he made his presence known.” Her hands ran through her hair in an unusual gesture of nervousness for the Chief Justice. “He never got near enough to hurt me, but I am embarrassed to say I did not realize he was there and I was unarrmed to start with but as I moved into the kitchen, I was able to become armed.”

Rousseau, HotJ

Jal’na reached over and gently squeezed Astrid’s hand. Her friend had been uneasy, why had her guards not taken extra precautions? Or had they, and this man still got in. That was an unsettling thought.

Neema crossed her legs and leaned forward “You did well” She only looked up towards her husband for a moment as if glancing but Joseph immediately turned and walked to the gathered women, giving Urg a short nod towards Astrid and company. Urg could easily note that Joseph had strapped a sidearm under his sweatpants and UFP Marine Corps sweater.

Urg followed his chosen brother and stood slightly apart from the assembly. His eyes stayed fixed on Astrid, and there was a… ‘look’… in his eyes that promised the target of his ire was in dire trouble, indeed.

“Your sharpest weapon is your mind. You did well, you are here and he is gone,” she glanced at Urg, the look saying ‘for now.’

Urg snorted once softly. “Indeed…” he growled.

Joseph smiled warmly “It was a violation of a safe space, your home. You should not have to be wary of entering your own home” Neema gave him a bemused smile at that which got a short-lived frown from the Commissioner “If you’re up for it do you mind telling us about this, about him”

Commissioner Karlson

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

She was so tired. It had been a late night to begin with and the adrenaline was gone from her. Astrid’s eyes burned with the desire to sleep but upon looking at the caring faces of her friends, she knew she had to give them some answers.

Urg moved forward and set a heavy hand on Astrid’s shoulder. “Only if you want to. Otherwise we can wait a bit. You are safe here… with all of us. And we wish only to make you feel that way.”

Urg’tohn, Lord Duroc

She looked up at Urg with a small smile and rested her small and delicate hand on his with a squeeze. “I think i have enough in me to give you some, if not the whole sordid tale.”

“After my mother died, my father married his assistant. She and her son Tyson came to live with us. They are both full Betazoid. They were not kind as they led my father to believe. Behind his back, she was horrible to me and my siblings. I protected them where I could, but that gained the attention of her up and coming teenage son. He isn’t much older than me . He grew infatuated and when I turned down his advances, he took it very badly. Tyson is incredibly intelligent, probably the smartest person I have ever met. His intelligence isn’t limited to book smarts. He is street savvy and clever too. His charm is off the charts.”

A rolling rumble rolled out from Jal’na’s chest, but it was more felt than heard. She had known people like that, and she had some pretty specific thoughts on how to deal with them.

Her throat felt dry so she reached out for her tea and took a sip before continuing. “Most of my teenage years were made helll by him. He found some very unique ways to create doubt within me and to cause injury without being present. My father called them pranks, if he acknowledged that Tyson did them at all. The worst part was my father not believing me when I told him of some new cruelty Tyson had come up with to torture me.”

“Keeping my siblings safe and focusing on my school work and career path was my only real solace. I think that is why I am so well regarded. That hard work paid off. I got my siblings out and away and myself too. I haven’t seen Tyson since I left New France. I just figured he had found someone new to torment or had found something actually worthwhile to do with his intelligence.”

Rousseau, HotJ

“A smart and charming sadist.” Urg said flatly. “He should have gone into politics.”

Urg’tohn, Lord Duroc

Joseph let out a dry snort at Urg’s joke.

“A coward is what he is,” Jal’na managed not to snarl. “What do you want us to do to help you, Astrid?”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

bump

Joseph nodded at Jal’na’s question, it was the right thing to ask. He was already forming plans and strategies, both legal and not so much. The easiest solution was to simply point Urg in the right direction and let him loose, with a good support unit there wouldn’t be much collateral damage that they’d need to cover up. However, that was likely not a good choice for Astrid’s mental health. The next option was more complex and required an artefact capable of blocking telepathy and setting up a stage for Astrid to take her brother down herself, either through a physical confrontation or a more suitable verbal one. The cleanest one would be to send Johann but that was also the cruelest option, he’d live a long life just not a good one. He discarded the last idea for now, a genetically enhanced assassin fascinated by pain was not the first card you played.

Commissioner Karlson

Without warning, the incoming Comm signal alert chimed once, and a velvety smooth voice came through the speakers set throughout the room. =A= Lord Duroc, I thank you for the compliment… but I’ve never had a taste for politics. If I’m being honest with myself, even I don’t have the stomach for the machine. That said… it is clear my little sister is far more… adept at such things.=A= There was no rush to the man’s words, just a calm… icy cadence that said he clearly had no fear of detection. Any attempts to track the call would find it bouncing throughout the OED system. If they worked really hard, the only originating source would be Karlson’s own residence.

=A= And as for a coward…=A= The man laughed a dark, chilling laugh. =A=… that’s just a bull### term used by those too weak to be of any impact in the universe. Now, Astrid… I would advise you to stop playing games and… inviting people into family business before someone gets hurt. Commissioner Karlson, I suggest you and your cronies mind your own damn business and stay out of my family’s affairs. I’m not going to hurt my little sister, even I’m not that stupid. However, you… your wife… and your.... colleagues are not of my concern. You can’t find me and you won’t find me. I’m here to visit Astrid and then be on my way. But don’t let the pathetic whining of the worthless excuse of a magistrate, my sister, pretends to be… get you hurt. Mind your business and stay the hell out of mine, and we won’t have an issue.=A=

There was a moment’s pause before Tyson’s voice returned, hard and flat. =A= Last warning, little sis, we either address this like adults… like the loving family we’ve… always been, or… I can assure you… you will never see Marguerite again. Love you, Astrid=A= And the Comm went dead.

Tyson Rousseau

Urg was quiet… still… and simply started at a single point as the comms went silent. He then took a breath and looked at Astrid and smiled a comforting (for him, anyway) smile at her; and then he looked at Karlson and said “I will break his neck with my bare hands. You know this, right?” He looked at one of his guards and motioned them over. As the guard leaned in, Urg whispered in his ear and the guard nodded and walked outside.

Urg’tohn, Lord Duroc

Joseph shrugged, his expression giving the Well I tried look. He was moderately annoyed that his comms had been breached but that was always a possibility, it was why they had actual hard lines, physical connectors to outside the manor, he hand’t ordered a full lockdown so that Urg could get his people inside the grounds but this was concerning enough,

Jal’na set a hand over Astrid’s, willing her to stay quiet as much as she was trying to restrain the vengeful rage that erupted in her chest. A coward. Belittling others and using hacked comm codes to intimidate and scare people rather than facing them. The toDSaH was wrong when he said this wasn’t their business. He was very wrong when he broke into Astrid’s home and frightened her.

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Joseph sat down in a plush chair and unconcernedly crossed his legs. He reached over to a small box and grabbed an intricately carved pipe and slowly filled it with sweet-smelling leaves “Moderately clever. The only external connection the manor has is the communications system, there’s an intercom in most major rooms, but only two camera’s” He explained to the people in the room “Mine and Neema’s offices.” He was explaining the major extent of their vulnerability. He put the pipe between his teeth and smiled. The Commissioner snapped his fingers once, “Al, cut the hard lines” He said to the air. There was no response, which seemed to be normal “He’s quite an arrogant pup your brother” Joseph had a soothing manner to his words, calm and collected.

Neema rolled her eyes and joined her hand with Jal’na’s and Astrid’s “He’s going to start showing off soon, being told he can’t find someone is a point of pride for the old man” She had no small amount of amusement in her tone, they were both quite clearly trying to put Astrid at ease but she looked to her husband with a curious expression.

Joseph took the time that Neema spoke as a chance to light an actual wooden match; the sound of striking the match activated two small drones which hovered over him silently, there was a faint haze around him, none of the smoke seemed to go past the field the drones generated. He puffed twice before speaking again “Marguerite, that’s your younger sister” He stated “Is she still on New France?” It seemed he might need to reach out to his little cousins, either that or use some of his brother’s operatives but that was problematic.

Commissioner Karlson