For Whom the Chime Tolls

Posted on Sat Aug 17th, 2019 @ 1:01am by Captain Abigail Laurens & Lieutenant Aleksander Voroshilov & Lieutenant Commander Calvin Morgan

Mission: War and Peacekeeping
Location: VIP Quarters - Deck Whatever

Aurelia smiled at Calvin as he walked through the doors, relieved to see that despite the events of the previous evening he had followed through on his promise to pay a 'house call' to Prizio. "Lieutenant Morgan," she said warmly as she stepped back to allow him access to the quarters. "How nice to see you," she deliberately left off the word 'again' from her sentence. "Please, come and take a seat. Can I get you a drink?" As she turned to follow the medical officer into the main living area, she cast a bright smile at Prizio. "Sir, I believe you have a guest," she said softly. "Would you like your usual cup of tea?"

Prizio looked up at the newcomer, the back to Aurelia, "Yes, that would be fine," Looking at the man he tried to place a face with a name, "I don't think we have met yet."

Unusual for Calvin, he wore his full regulation duty uniform to a T for this meeting. From the moment Calvin had stepped foot over the threshold his mind had started noting everything he could see. The smell, how neat the apartment was, where things were left out and where they weren't. His years of prehospital work taught him to size up every scene no matter what for possible clues.

"No we have not sir," the Doctor finally responded, his medical eye now focused on the man in front of him. "To which I apologize, I meant to come sooner and introduce myself, I am Lt. Calvin Morgan." He held out his hand to shake his, having worked his way to a sociable distance between the two.

Prizio took the offered hand, "It is a pleasure Lieutenant Morgan."

Aurelia motioned for Calvin to take a seat before she walked across the room to the small kitchen area, replicating the two cups of tea and returning them to the two gentlemen in the living area. "My apologies," she said with a smile as she handed one to Calvin. "It is only replicated. I failed to anticipate a longer than expected stay on the Starbase and did not pack enough fresh tea to last."

Taking the directed seat, he got himself comfortable, setting the small satchel down next to his feet. He graciously took the tea, bringing it under his nose to smell the faint but warm smell of tea. "A warm drink is always welcome, no matter if it is replicated or not," he replied politely. After a quick sip of the tea he set it down on the table next to him, turning his full attention to the Pirzio.

"May I ask the purpose of your visit," The words were a question, the tone was a demand. Prizio had appreciated the hospitality his hosts had shown him, but had been a little suspicious as to their motives, "Not even your Captain has come for a casual visit."

"But of course sir," He responded, picking the tea back up and sipping it. Patients with attitudes always amused him the most. "I am the Chief Medical Officer. I always stop in with guests that are staying more than a day or so to ensure they do not need anything." He took another sip. "The rigors of travel can be hard sometimes, and visiting sickbay can be daunting, and well frankly an annoyance for someone with a busy schedule." He set down his tea, his tone of voice friendly and welcoming, showing either indifference or ignorance to the demanding tone of his host.

"And Remember, that nice Commander Gail came to visit us, she was friendly," Aurelia spoke up softly from her vantage point at the edge of the room. "Sorry Sir," she followed through, folding her hands neatly in her lap. "I didn't mean to speak out of turn."

"That's quite right Aurelia," Prizio nodded to her, offering a weak smile at the newcomer, "It has been a trying time," Waving his hand about he scoffed, "I'm the leader of a planet, trapped like a caged animal, a viper at his doorstep," He held a hand up, the smile returning, "I apologize for the outburst Lieutenant, I'm...I'm impatient to feel my homeland under my boots."

Calvin glanced at Aurelia, no change in his demeanor or expression. He nodded slowly as Prizio spoke, trying to sympathize with the man and get into his shoes. "No apology needed, I can't imagine the stress of being in unfamiliar space with the added stress of the opposition on board. Has this stress been affecting your sleep or eating habits?" He asked with genuine curiosity and sincerity.

Aurelia remained silent, just watching the exchange between the two. The rate at which his demeanor changed was quite startling, to say the least.

“Yes, considerably,” Prizio grumbled the answer from behind his upturned cup of tea. Setting it down calmly, he looked the doctor in the eyes, “But how can one sleep when death is only a few floors below? How do you presume to cure me of that illness?”

Calvin bit his lip on the philosophical argument of whether medical staff truly cure or if they just allow the body to cure itself. He didn't think Prizio would find it as fascinating as he did. "I can only assist in medical matters, which if you are not sleeping or eating properly, is probably causing harm to yourself and is something we can work on together. Do you mind if I do a quick assessment? Just some vitals. I want to see where we are at." He leaned over enough to put his hand on his bag, but didn't open or pick it up, trying not to presume too far in advance. "It'll be quick." He added

Prizio glanced at his assistant, a look of slight annoyance on his face. Nodding silently he decided it was best to comply, lest Aurelia continue her pestering about his health. That, he figured, was part of his problem in the first place.

Calvin cocked his eyebrow momentarily, playing oblivious to the glance that he full well knew its meaning. He picked up his bag quickly and took the few strides over to his patient. Having taken out his tricorder and setting the bag down in one move, he flicked it open and tapped into the system a few things. "I understand you must have more important things to do right now, but believe me a little preventative maintenance will keep you on your feet much better than having a true medical problem." He smiled as the medical probe came out and he began his assessment of the patient. "Any headaches, pains? Besides me?"

Prizio raised his eyebrow at the joke, "Several as of late, mostly when I hear ill news. Beyond that the normal aches of age," Looking back briefly at Aurelia he grabbed his tea cup, sipping quietly as he shifted his attention back to the doctor.

Continuing his assessment, catching Prizio's eye as he had briefly looked over towards Aurelia. "Well those can be signs of bigger problems down the road," He stated, tapping a few things into the tricorder.

Prizio grumbled, catching the glance Calvin cast at Aurelia, his eyes narrowing, the expression on his face darkening. "Perhaps you should be assessing Aurelia," he said bitterly. "After all, she was the one that was attacked last night, here on the safety of your ship, despite all your Commander Gail's assurances that we would be safe. Perhaps you should be more interested in her injuries than my eating and sleeping habits."

Aurelia sighed and shook her head quickly. "No, I'm fine," she said quietly. "I just got a few little bumps, I'm fine. Ernesto was hurt more than me."

"There you have it then!" Prizio replied, his tone reflecting triumphant annoyance. "Let's go see Ernesto. You can put your apparent need to nanny people to work and check him." Without waiting for an answer, Prizio stood up, striding toward the door.

Standing up to follow suit, Aurelia cast another apologetic glance toward Calvin. "I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I hoped he'd be a little nicer."

Calvin, shrugged, putting the tricorder away. "Not my loss if he has a stroke," he stated indifferently, closing the bag. "I can lead a horse to water, but can't make it drink it."

=/\= Ernesto Miranda's Quarters =/\=

Trailing the other two, he followed them more out of duty than willingness. Coming up to the door he watched as Prizio angrily rang at the chime trying to get into the quarters. He turned to look at Calvin, "Well if you are so worried about our health, why don't you do something useful and open the door?" He demanded, his finger almost coming up high enough to poke him right in the chest.

"I guess telling you that your stress is going to kill you and you should relax isn't going to help?" He asked with the most polite sarcasm, to the point where it would be hard for anyone to truly give him grief as he gave the same smile he always gives. He didn't wait for an answer, nor looked like he wanted one for his rhetorical question. He stepped up to the door, tapping his commbadge. "Security, Lt. Morgan, please open the quarters of Ernesto from the Diplomatic party for medical reasons, and send a detail here."

With a quick acknowledgement the door had an audible unlock click and swooshed open. "Please wait for me to go in first," but before he could finish his sentence Prizio was on the move.

Prizio walked into the quarters, his steps sticky as he stepped into the pool of cold blood. Looking down he could see the body of his trusted adviser, head bashed in and face barely recognizable, bone and brain poking through broken skin. Beyond him was a trail of blood, leading to the couch with a deep red stain on it. A few teeth were scattered on the floor to the right of where he had likely been sitting. Arcs of blood spatter, almost beautiful in it's design, covered the walls and ceiling. A blood covered bottle had been tossed into the corner, the scent of death and liquor permeated the air. Prizio froze, his eyes glazing over as he just...stared.

Stepping around Prizio, Aurelia's gaze fell on the ground in front of her, eyes widening, palpable silence washing over the room before a horrified scream shattered the silence.

Where Prizio remained mutely silent, just staring, showing no sign of emotion or response at all, Aurelia's scream was only broken as she broke into hysterical sobs, turning away from the scene and covering her face.

"And this is why we listen to the doctor," He said dryly, grabbing the shoulders of both Aurelia and Prizio and gently but firmly walked them back out of the room. He tapped his badge, "Security, lock down this corridor and expedite security to this location," He said as calmly as if he asked for another cup of coffee. He put Prizio leaning against a wall, and let him stare into space in shock. He gently placed his hands on Aurelia's shoulders, and looked directly into her eyes. "Breathe Aurelia, nice deep long breaths, look at me. Deep slow breaths."

Wide eyed and shaking, Aurelia met his eyes, trying to nod as she slowed her breathing. "I was with him last night," she cried tearfully. "I thought our quarters were safe..."

Barely a few moments had passed and two security officers appeared in the corridor with them, promptly being directed into the quarters they had just exited, the glimpse of the body through the closing doors behind them enough to reduce the young Trion woman to tears again.

Aleksi was close on the heels of the yellow shirts, standing down next to the doctor. Even if this had been a normal death he would have shown up eventually to assess the scene; however, this was no normal person nor was it a particularly normal demise. He could have asked for the info on what was going on, but he decided that it was space he need, "Take her to the bay Calvin, we can take it from here," There was a scream of rage from inside the cabin, "After you sedate the dear leader."

"Screw him," he mumbled under his breath, loud enough for Aleksi to hear, but not for Aurelia to hear over her own sobs. He gave Aleksi a wink before collecting Prizio and Aurelia. "I'll be back as soon as I can. We apparently have some work to do tonight," He said to Aleksi as he escorted the two away to someplace safer.