Episode 2.02: Rivulets of Copper, Eyes Aflame

[Davy, aka GM]

After the Commodore's laying out of the ground rules, the engineer turns to the investigator and suggests, "You seem surprisingly upset by the involvement of Jarokovan in this investigation. Perhaps I might interest you in some meditational exercises my mate and I have found useful in containing emotional stress and freeing the mind for the direct application of logical analysis."

The only reaction the engineer receives from N'Varas is a brief glance in his direction.

"I do have a question about the basis of this investigation," Tobin says. "What led to Lt. Thadis being considered a person of interest in these deaths? Is there any evidence of his involvement, or is the suspicion based purely on, shall we say, circumstance?"

Treyva waited for his officers to finish before he said, "So your evidence is that Thadis was in the wrong place while being blue. I know that the lieutenant isn't the only Andorian on this planet, Investigator. From a scientific standpoint, the evidence is entirely circumstantial, and even then it's thin."

He paused a moment. "You say all seven were killed in the same way. What was the cause of death?"

"The cause of death in each case was exsanguination and organ failure from multiple incisions, lacerations, and punctures, made by a well-honed and maintained blade of 50 to 70 centimeters in length," N'Varas responds flatly. "The wounds were made with extreme force - furious, but with a measure of control, indicating someone trained with their chosen instrument."

He pauses to let the information sink in, and continues, "Your officer was wearing his cultural weapon on his person in surveillance footage, in a ceremonial position in accordance with Federation and Vulcan-Andorian treaty. As I am sure you are aware, these hrisals average about 60 centimeters in length.

"Yes, each element is circumstantial, but multiple circumstances begin to form a pattern," the investigator concludes. "His proximity to four potential crime scenes, his known generational animosity toward the Vulcan species, and his publicly carrying a weapon consistent with the fatal wounds are 'thin' on their own, but stitched together, they begin to make a more sturdy cloth. It would have been improper not to view him as a potential suspect."

[Renny]

"Sir," Cole addresses the investigator, "Are you in possession of any witness testimony or surveillance material which places Thadis at the scene of any of these crimes?"

[Davy, aka GM]

"Shuttle records and entry-exit logs place him at the research station, and street sensors and imagery place him in the shops area," the investigator replies. "Your precinct liaison will be able to facilitate your access to all of the evidence collected so far."

[Renny]

'Shuttle records and entry-exit logs place him at the research station, and street sensors and imagery place him in the shops area," the investigator replies. "Your precinct liaison will be able to facilitate your access to all of the evidence collected so far."

"Thank you, sir, " Cole responds. " That will be very useful."

[Doug Burke]

The only reaction the engineer receives from N'Varas is a brief glance in his direction.

Sorak meets the brief glance with steely aplomb, having made his point and not wishing to waste any more time.

[Patrick Goodman]

"Are there any other persons of interest?"

[Davy, aka GM]

N'Varas shakes his head. "None to date. Investigators are continuing to interview witnesses and search available logs and sensor data for commonalities. These, too, will be made available to you as they're completed and transcribed."

"Do you gents have any more questions that need answering at this time?" the commodore chimes in.

[Patrick Goodman]

Treyva looked at N'Varas for a few moments; something about the Vulcan investigator wasn't sitting right with him. Finally,  he shook his head and without taking his eyes off N'Varas, replied, "I don't, sir, but my staff might."

[Doug Burke]

Sorak considers everything N'Varas has shared and his eyes narrow. He turns to the Commodore and shakes his head, "For any additional questions I have considered to be asked before we can see the actual evidence that has been collected would seem at best premature, and at worst redundant and obstructive."

[Nolmir]

"I think I can safely say I speak for all us when I say I would like to speak with Lt. Thadis as soon as possible. I certainly want to hear his side of the story," Tobin says, then pauses slightly. "I presume we will have free access to him for our investigation?"

[Davy, aka GM]

"Through your liaison, yes," N'Varas responds.

[Renny]

"Through your liaison, yes," N'Varas responds.

"I'd like to organise this as soon as possible", Cole says, his eyes fixed on N'Varas. "We certainly need to get the Lieutenant's account of events."

[Davy, aka GM]

The commodore concludes the meeting with words of caution.

"Tread lightly, Captain. This is still Vulcan jurisdiction, so their sovereignty must be respected here," he states, "I'm sure that won't be a problem for you, just as I'm sure the Vulcan government will provide their full cooperation in this joint investigation. Our goal is the same; determine who committed these crimes, and apprehend them before they have an opportunity to commit more. Dismissed."

The group departs Santiago's office together, leaving the commodore to confer with Dr. Suchwani. As they approach the transporter station, N'Varas announces, "Lt. Thadis was not wearing his hrisal when detained, and refused to disclose its location when questioned. Perhaps he will be willing to reveal it to you."

Without waiting for an answer, he turns and returns the way he came.

*~*~*~*~*

The provincial detention facility on the outskirts of Ip'sam Shelek municipality reflects the Federation's views on incarceration and rehabilitation. Highly asthetic, in what most architects would call "Classical Modern Vulcanian," the building appears spacious at first glance. Treyva leads the others into the main lobby, where Sorak's mate T'Kiri and two uniformed V'Kor officers are waiting.

"Peace and long life, Captain Treyva," she greets, a slight smile curling up at the corner of her mouth as she holds up the traditional salute. "And to your officers. It is pleasurable to see you again, although I would rather it be under less professional circumstances."

OOC: Feel free to do a little RP...

[Doug Burke]

OOC: Does Sorak recognoze either of the V'Kor Agents?

[Davy, aka GM]

OOC: Yes, Sorak knows them both.

The engineer immediately recognizes the two uniformed officers. The male, on T'Kiri's right, is Officer - Grade 1 Ayhan; he's a Vulcan Science Academy graduate, but chose V'Kor service for reasons he has never shared with Sorak and T'Kiri. He married into a prominent family, and he and his mate frequently invite T'Kiri for dinner when Sorak is away.

OOC: It's up to you, Doug, if Sorak and T'Kiri visited/hosted Ayhan and his mate during the engineer's current visit home.

The female, on T'Kiri's left, is Officer - Grade 2 T'Ara; her parents were researchers who took her with them on their many research missions. She once stated that her first six years were spent more amongst dead civilizations than on Vulcan itself; her parents died in an accident just after her sixth birthday, and she was returned to Vulcan to be raised by both sets of grandparents. Notably, the two couples moved into adjoining estates with a common courtyard, so that she could be with both families without the burden of traveling between them. She is very proud of that fact, a forgivable flaw in her normally stoic Surakian discipline.