Posted by Lieutenant Commander Ylana Eviros (Chief Science Officer) in White Tower- Head of S&T’s Office
If there was one thing Ylana Eviros was grateful for, it was that her boss, while wildly eccentric, was also incredibly organized. It was a pretty useful trait to have as a scientist, and an even more useful one to have as leader of a department as large as Science and Terraforming.

The other bonus to Cosgrove, was her office, which Ylana had admired greatly before, but on more than one occasion had envied the large personal lab they often worked in. She was in there now, standing at a large table with a holographic display of the colony. She pinched one section, making the new agridome expand into a more detailed display.

Construction was progressing well, and the foundation plus the perimeter were now intact. Her instructions from Halai were to make sure the nest layer was up and base work for the power systems were in place. It would require coordination with several parties, but she was pretty comfortable with that, both as a Starfleet department head, but also now that she was well and settled into this Deputy role.

The lab door was directly in the main office, which took up the entire floor of the White Tower, though on the tapered building it wasn’t quite as huge as it sounded. Still, it was spacious and offered incredible views of the colony.

Before she left, Cosgrove had told her that one of the security guards, usually Ensign Elaine Anderson or the civilian, Ruan Graeys, would come up within a specific period of time to check in with her if she was still working at night. Then it was procedure that she had to check out with them, so ensure there was no one in the building that shouldn’t be there. Especially after the attcak at Cosgrove’s villa, security around the scientist, and the White Village in general, had been amped up, if quietly. Cosgrove was nothing is not discreet and she hated people making a fuss, even if it was in her best interest.

So when she felt a presence nearby, Ylana fully expected it to be one of the two. They usually comm’d to announce themselves, but they also knew about Ylana’s abilities, so it wasn’t entirely strange that they might just come up to the floor.

Moving out of the lab, Eviros got one step out before she found herself being pushed back into the lab. Things happened fast and she had been caught entirely off guard! The next thing she knew someone was holding her and trying to cover her mouth.

But she hadn’t made Lieutenant Commander in Starfleet by being an easy target, and she fought back, driving a heel into her attacker’s shin. A cry of pain sounded behind her and she freedom had becomes hers once again. But she only got a couple steps before her arm was wrenched back.

It was unfortunate that the person chose her as a target, if indeed she had been, because if there was one thing that most people didn’t know about the quiet and mild-mannered scientist, it was that she was exceptionally dangerous under the right circumstances.

The person, a man she had figured out, suddenly went flying backwards a couple of feet and fell in a heap on the floor. She bolted for the door.

Ylana, please! Wait! I’m not trying to hurt you!

Had it been anyone else, she would have kept running, but Ylana stopped dead in her tracks and let the sound of his voice echo in her head. Without looking, she reached out her mind and brushed his for confirmation. Yes, it was him. Give me one reason I shouldn’t call security and have your ass hauled off to a cell?

I’m in trouble, Ylana. I need your help. I think… I think lives are at stake, and not just mine.

Slowly, she turned, her heart still beating fast, but her interior reserve of calm had spread over her exterior. That would have worked had the man not been Betazoid and not one so personally connected to her. But there he was, the dark hair and eyes still the same, but his handsome face looked worn. Her emotions fluctuated and she felt a pang of worry and regret. What had happened to him these last years?

Why are you here? Why come see me? If it’s so important, why didn’t you take whatever it is to someone with the power to do something?

Morin shifted his position slowly, and rather intentionally so as to not startle Ylana. Because I don’t know who to trust. But I do know that I can trust you and that despite everything, you still care about me. Please, Ylana…

She gazed at him in his position on his knees. It was a provocative thing to do, but quite intentional too. And he was right she did care. Exhaling and wanting to get answers to the myriad of questions that had surfaced, her expression became resolved.

He knew instantly that she was willing to do at least something and that he had in some way won her over. Thank you!

Don’t thank me yet, she said dryly. If you’ll recall Morin, the last time we saw each other, we were on a shuttle back to Betazed before my sister died and you left the Dresden without the marriage you had expected. And the next thing after telling me what all this is about is to go see Michael. He’s not your biggest fan, even though I feel confident enough time has passed that he won’t hold the past against you.

Do we have to bring Michael into this?

Ylana arched her pale eyebrows. What do you think?

I think you’re loyal to your husband and would never deceive him, Morin said sullenly.

Good to know you still know me so well, she said with a smirk. She gestured for him to get up. Come on. Come tell me what in the four deities is going on so I can actually decide if I’m able to help or not.

You don’t like me on my knees?

She fought a smirk and pointed at him. None of that, or I’ll kick you out of the office and leave you to fend for yourself.

Yes, ma’am, he replied, unable to stop the cheeky grin that formed. She didn’t direct it at him, but her subsequent thought made him smile a little more. Ylana Eviros had always been fun to tease and he was glad to learn that some things hadn’t changed.

In the office, Ylana sat at the desk and indicated he should sit as well. Okay, you better start.

And then he did. And the more Morin spoke, the more Ylana’s brows lifted and her mouth dropped until it was open. She had moved on with her life, despite some of the tragedy, but Morin, it seemed, had gotten a bit lost in the intervening years.

The shock lasted only a few moments before anger set in, as well as fear. And you came here?! Are you crazy? Morin, I have a family, a child! You would put them in danger?

Of course not! But I didn’t know what to do. They don’t have to be involved!

But they are involved now, whether you or I like it or not, simply by virtue of them not likely to leave you alone. What makes you think they won’t know you came to me? And how exactly, did you get in here in the first place?

I, uh, borrowed-

Stole, she interjected.

Stole,-he conceded-a guard’s credentials and she is currently stunned. I think you will need to decide what you’re going to do before they wake up. He at least felt remorse for his action, even though it had felt entirely necessary at the time.

Ylana held her head in her hands and groaned. What a mess! You’re certainly not making this easy for yourself, or me, are you? she grumbled.

I’m sorry, Ylana.

She snorted and then sighed before looking at him, their dark eyes meeting. I know. I do. But uh, I have to go find Elaine before she triggers the alarm and ruins whatever plan we might come up with to deal with this situation. You are going to sit here and do nothing. At most you can look out the window. And don’t even think about trying to access the systems.

He raised his hands defensively. I promise to be a good boy.

Ylana rolled her eyes as she got up. Morin told her where Ensign Anderson was and she grabbed a med kit from the emergency supplies and went to check on her officer.

A few minutes later, Ylana returned with the security officer who seemed none worse for wear. She did, however, glare at Morin. Oh, if looks could kill!

Eviros set down the medical kit on her desk and eyes Morin. “Ensign Anderson has agreed to follow my lead in this matter, given that the Governor will soon know all about it. But, Elaine, if he tries anything stupid, you have my full permission to shoot him.”

Anderson grinned. “Yes, ma’am. Gladly,”

Tal knew better than to comment, especially given the look in the ensign’s eyes.

Ylana went to her computer and began typing a message to her husband. //Michael , I need to see you ASAP. My office or Halai’s. I won’t be alone. It’s urgent and sensitive.\

Ylana Eviros, CSO