=/\= Chimera - Bridge =/\= Athena watched as the commander's of both ships stared at each other and she listened to their discourse. She only made one small touch to let Shane know he wasn't helping the situation which he read correctly. She sensed that the Romulan commander felt he was in the right and being truthful. She sensed discomfort and disgust as well while she listened to the statements and questions being asked. She also kept her ears open as the answers to the questions were reported back to Shane. Shane turned to Athena and asked quietly: "How can this be?" Athena met Shane's gaze and replied, "Our ship shows damage from a Warbird and theirs from a federation ship..." She paused in the middle of her thought as she realized that this felt different then before. Tentatively she suggested, ".... a third party?" Shane felt quite startled about the whole conversation with the Romulan Commander and the whole mysterious battle thing. He disliked the thought that his actions could result into an another Romulan/Federation interstellar war. It added even more pressure on him and he felt it was just a bit too much pressure for his first mission as ACO. Shane looked a bit puzzled at Athena and asked with a slight disapproval in his voice: "Who the heck would do that? What profit would anyone have from a war?" He sounded like he wasn't up for an advice, but the opposite was the truth. he needed a good advice like never before. Athena shrugged at the first question and reevaluating everything to this point she murmured, "Knowledge." Shane shrugged and glanced at Acheson. He saw that the CTAC was ready to fire and waited just for his command. One little word from him ... an tenths of thousands could die in an interstellar war. Looking at Athena he asked: "How could anyone manage a federation ship attacking a Romulan Warbird? Even when there is NO federation ship 5 days cruise near?" "It's not that hard to get ......" Her thoughts were interrupt by the only diplomat that was aboard. Shane's thoughts were interrupted as Martin Guzman suggested: "Is it absolutely sure that the Romulans were attacked by a federation ship? I mean, it wouldn't be the first case when someone would imitate federations weapons?" Shane said nothing but it was clear that he asked himself the same question as well. Looking back at Athena he asked: "Could it be the Romulans themselves? What have you felt from the Romulan Commander? Is he lying to us?" Finally a straight forward question that had a clear cut answer. "Everything the Romulan Commander has said he believes to be true, " she said unwavering. Athena watched as the rawness of her words sunk into Shane's brain. "The federation openly shares some information when trying to make "new friends", " she offered and added a question of her own. "Have any ships Romulan or federation disappeared in this part of space before?" She thought she had read something about that but needed it to be confirmed for her own peace of mind. Shane glanced over at LT. Foster. Foster served on board long enough to know what he was expected to do and now he tapped his console without waiting for the order. After a short moment he replied: "Two trader ship's from the federation around SD 240211 and one steamrunner class ship, the USS Steam on SD 240409. But none were direct in this sector". Noding to Foster Shane turned to Athena again: "Anyway a steamrunner class ship would be little a match for a Romulan Warbird" Shane turned to Martin and asked: "Would you as a romulan commander believe me when i would broadcast the battle logs?" Martin shook his head: "No, we would show a weaknes. The broadcasting would indicate that we are too much interested in a peacefull way of handling the situation and the Romulans could use this knowledge as a way to extort us". Shane turned back to Athena and asked: "Would you believe me Athena?" Athena shook her head in disagreement. Her lips formed the word 'no' when ... The little conversation was interruped by MCpt Acheson: "Commader" he started a bit startled "two unknown ship's just appeared 20 Km away from our position". "What?" Shane cried, "decloacked?" he asked. Acheson shook hie head: "No, sir. Just ... appeared. 5 seconds ago there was nothing and now there are two ship's there" Turning half to Athena Shane asked: "Your third party?" ===== End of log ===== LT. Athena Wellington Counselor USS Chimera & Cmdr. Shane Guzman XO/ACO USS Chimera