Fire Works - Chapter 19

NOTE TO READERS: The word or term "TanGol" is something I made up. I needed something for Tamarra to toss into Solon's face at the time, and that was it. Now, I officially disavow any knowledge of the word. . . . . . .


Free Enterprise  -  Fire Works! – Chapter 19


Meanwhile Captain Tyr Anasazi was in the process of “putting out fire with fire”. Khan stood off to the side with his arms crossed and watched as the Captain had Engineering's Beta Shift line up in ranks and file, and face him.

From there he proceeded to read them the riot act. The poor Humans were terrified and the Nietzscheans were quietly respectful. They had a right to be because Engineering had been the “hotbed” of all of the problems and fights.

“Have I made myself perfectly clear?” Tyr asked authoritatively, after his upbraid.

“Sir! Yes, Sir!” thirty voices called out in unison.

“Resume your duties.” he ordered. The group, both Human and Nietzschean alike, scatter like their tails had been scalded. Tyr put his head down to hide a smile, as Khan chuffed softly.

“Now, now, Captain. You must remember that you were like that once.” Khan said.

“I was worse.” Tyr replied. As they left Engineering proper. They choose to ignore the eyes peering down on them from the Engineering catwalks. Mice peeping out at the cat as it saunters by.

“I was a rebel, and was always in trouble.” Tyr said, as they entered the lift and headed back to the bridge.

“You?” Khan asked, in mock disbelief.

“Starfleet would've thrown me out except for one Katay woman. I believe you know her as Haxhis.” Tyr replied.

“You know Fleet Admiral Haxhis?” Khan said, truly awed. "She is renowned among our people. She was Princess and the direct heir to the throne, but she put aside her crown to join Starfleet."

“She was my Strategic Studies instructor and personally took me under her wing.” Tyr continued as they both entered his Ready Room. He sat at his desk and Khan sat on the sofa.

As soon as they were seated and sort of comfortable, Khan huffed. Tyr smiled knowing why. The next second, the door chime rang.

“Come.” Tyr called, as he sat back in his chair. To an outsider, it looked like he was carelessly sprawled in his chair, but he was far from it.

“Afternoon Captain, Khan. Sir, the Vulcans are complaining.” she said. Tyr raised an eyebrow at the statement. Tamarra had said “the Vulcans” as if she were no longer part of their race. Khan's ears and whiskers pricked up.

“What would the noisome pestilence be complaining about now?” Tyr asked. “They are housed, fed, clothed, have a place to sleep, and even entertainment if they wish. What more could they want?” he continued.

“Huuuuummmmm! I'm guessing their freedom.” Khan replied.

Tamarra put a hand to her face to hide a smile. Ever since Solon and his people had been placed in the brig yesterday evening, they had been complaining constantly, and making a general pain in the neck of themselves. Of course, both Tyr and Khan had a right to have some fun at their expense.

“I thought Vulcans are supposed to be a stoic and logical people.” Tyr said, frowning at her.

“I thought so too, but.. . . .” Tamarra started, shrugged, then sighed. “They've been complaining that we are preventing them from continuing their studies.” she continued.

“Yes, we ARE preventing them from continuing seditious activities on my ship.” Tyr replied, as he held up a data disk. “Xena extracted a complete confession from Solon this morning. He and his team were attempting to cause my crew to mutiny, then lay the blame of the whole incident upon our backs.” Tyr stated. “Then there would be just cause, and a solid rallying point to have the Nietzscheans removed and banned from the Federation and Starfleet.” he continued.

“OMG! OMG! OMG! I had no idea!” Tamarra gasped, as the full meaning of her Captain's statement hit her.

“And Solon had the unmitigated gall to use me in his sick and twisted plot! From this moment forward, I want nothing to do with him!” she stated, then stood and stormed out leaving Tyr and Khan to stare the closed door after she'd left. Tyr tapped his comm badge.

“Lt Commander Anol.” he said.

“Yes, Sir.” Xena replied.

“Location please.” he asked.

“The Brig. The natives are restless, Sir.” she replied, over the background noise of two male voices arguing, stridently.

“Commander McPhearson is on her way to your local, and she is very displeased, to say the least.” Tyr stated.

“I'll look out for her.” Xena promised.

“I've alerted Sabra. Perhaps she will be able to talk to Tamarra.” Khan said. His mate was also a counselor, handy for those who preferred a feminine presence when they poured their hearts out.

“These are very trying times for her, and they will get worse.” Khan continued. Tyr stared at Khan, as the tiny hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

“She will need you, too. So don't make any plans to take long pilgrimages, or safaris.” Khan warned, lightly. But Tyr knew that warning held the weight of the universe behind it.


* * * * * *

The Brig was a madhouse! Tamarra walked in on a three way argument between Solon, his second in command, Skett, and Ensign Janjit Singh.

Janjit was studying to be a JAG, and took Security as part of his career path. As a result, he was The Insurrection's foremost expert on Federation and Starfleet law. They were arguing the finer points of Eminent Domain when Tamarra walked in. She took one look at Solon and rolled her eyes.

“Get it over with, Girlfriend!” she told herself as she stepped up to the barrier and Janjit let her pass.

“Solon, I would speak to you.” she declared. Her Uncle inclined his head respectfully and faced her.

“I am enacting the law of TanGol.” she said. The rest of Solon's team stopped what they were doing, several games of 3D Chess, and looked up.

“TanGol! That law is obscure and has not been used in centuries! What could you possibly hope to accomplish by enacting it?” Solon asked arrogantly.

“The law simply states, if there is just cause I can disown a relative. I, Tamarra McPhearson officially disown you as my Uncle. According to strictures of TanGol I am to say, I disown you Uncle Solon, I disown you, Uncle Solon, I disown you, Uncle Solon. You will receive a legal packet from my lawyer in a couple of weeks. Have a nice life.” Tamarra said. Then turned on her heel and walked away. She met Sabra on the way out.

After everything had settled down and everyone had left, two people were left staring at one another. Xena was leaning against the Security console with her arms crossed, and bone blades predominately displayed of course, and stared at The Vulcan. Solon stood an inch away from the Security barrier in parade rest stance and glowered right back at her.

“You're despicable!” Xena exclaimed, suddenly. Then turned back to her duties.