Lets Chat

Posted on Mon Aug 31st, 2026 @ 8:38am by Lonian Royal Sovereignty & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson

Mission: Season 6: Episode 7: Crossroads of Destiny
Timeline: After 'The Hidden Costs'
5164 words - 10.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Phoenix had spent several minutes considering her next move after Sama terminated the connection. She could call back.
She wouldn't. She could summon the diplomatic staff and spend another several hours searching Lonian law for some obscure provision Sama had overlooked. She doubted Sama had overlooked anything. Phoenix's gaze drifted instead to the information displayed on another screen. The Houses. Four of them. And therein lay the mistake she had been making.
She had been treating Sama as though she spoke for an entire world. Phoenix knew better than that. She had been raised in a royal household. Power was rarely as simple as the person sitting on the largest chair would have everyone believe.
Her eyes settled upon the First House. Lady Vanei.

Phoenix considered the name for a moment before activating the communications panel. "Computer, open a diplomatic channel to the First House." The seal appeared while the connection was established. Phoenix settled back into her chair. When the consul appeared, Phoenix offered the polite smile that had once been drilled into her until she could produce it regardless of exhaustion, irritation or the overwhelming desire to strangle someone. "Good afternoon. Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson of the USS Elysium."

She inclined her head. "I was hoping you might convey an invitation to Lady Vanei on my behalf." A slight pause. "With everything that has occurred between our people recently, I have realised that I have had remarkably little opportunity to simply speak with the leaders of your world." The smile warmed fractionally. "I would like to correct that." Phoenix folded her hands loosely before her. "If Her Grace is amenable, I would be honoured if she would join me aboard the Elysium for tea. Nothing terribly formal. No delegations. No negotiating teams." The faintest hint of humour touched her expression. "Simply tea and conversation between two women who understand that titles occasionally make ordinary conversation unnecessarily difficult." Phoenix inclined her head again. "At a time convenient to Lady Vanei, of course."

The consul, Ikova, was the one who had received the call. A man who clearly enjoyed his time in the sun, his hair had characteristic volume that could only come from time spent in the salty ocean water. His gold-coloured jacket had simple cream accents. "The First House appreciates your call, Commodore. I will forward the invitation. Do you mind if I place you on a brief hold?"

Phoenix nodded. "Of course I am perfectly fine with that." She said honestly.

With an appreciative nod, Ikova glanced at his console, then the screen switched to the seal of the First House. Unlike the wait to speak to Sama, it took only a minute before the screen changed again. The new face on the screen was Lady Vanei. Her curls were pushed back with the simplicity of a headpiece and collected into a simple ponytail behind her. Her attire was of the same golden tones as her consul, however instead of the formal dress she had worn to the lunch, it was a long sleeve v-neck with silver needlework along the collar. Upon seeing Phoenix, she extended a smile. "Commodore, it's lovely to see you again," she greeted.

The events of yesterday's chamber session still sat on her shoulders, and as much as she tried to not let Sama's actions affect her, the reality was that it disturbed an otherwise routine cadence. Whether it showed was a matter of how much effort she put into masking it. "My consul informed me of an invitation for tea? What's the occasion?"

Phoenix's smile remained, but her eyes studied Vanei for the briefest moment. There. It was exceptionally well hidden. Had Phoenix spent her life anywhere else, she might have missed it entirely. The smile was right. The greeting warm. The posture composed. But there was tension beneath it. Phoenix knew that particular performance intimately. Whatever had happened since the chamber session had left its mark upon the Head of the First House. She gave no indication that she had noticed. "No occasion," Phoenix replied lightly. "Which, I admit, may make it seem rather suspicious coming from someone in my position." A flicker of amusement crossed her face.

"But I assure you, there is no ambush of lawyers waiting behind the teapot." She shifted slightly in her chair, still mindful of the lingering protest from her recent visit to Sickbay. "We have spent a considerable amount of time in your system, Lady Vanei, and circumstances have meant that most of my conversations with your government have involved crises, legal arguments, accusations, or some combination of all three." Phoenix's smile became a little more genuine. "It occurred to me that I would rather not leave Lonian space knowing its leaders exclusively through diplomatic incidents. And I enjoyed our brief conversation at the luncheon. I had hoped we might continue it somewhere considerably quieter." She deliberately left Sama's name out of it.

"If you are available, I would be pleased to host you aboard Elysium. I can promise tea, something edible to accompany it, and..." Phoenix considered for a moment. "...at least half an hour in which nobody is permitted to demand anything of either of us." Her gaze held Vanei's. That offer, perhaps, carried a little more meaning than the rest. "I suspect we might both appreciate that." Phoenix let the words settle without acknowledging what she had seen behind Vanei's carefully composed expression.

"After that, if conversation happens to wander toward matters of state..." The faintest trace of courtly mischief entered her smile. "Well. One can hardly be held responsible for where conversation wanders over tea." She inclined her head. "Would you join me?"

Being raised in the formality of royal courts, Vanei knew what Phoenix's invitation really meant. Sure, tea may be offered for consumption, but the invitation asked for a moment of her time. Alone, and in person instead of over secure channels. She didn’t see any ill intent from the commodore, and from their short interactions there was no reason to believe any existed. The promise of an entire half hour without interruptions appealed to the side of her that had simply too many things to do.

That hint of courtly mischief. It further confirmed what Vanei suspected. She responded with a polite nod. "That sounds lovely, Commodore. Would in an hour be appropriate?" As Vanei spoke, her gaze drifted to the bruising on Phoenix's temple, and her expression shifted subtly into one of concern, but she didn’t say anything.

Phoenix caught the brief shift of Vanei's gaze. The concern that followed was subtle, quickly contained, and—most importantly—not voiced. Phoenix appreciated that. Her hand almost rose instinctively toward the bruising at her temple, but years of training stopped the movement before it began. Instead, the corner of her mouth curved slightly. "An hour would be perfect." She glanced briefly toward the chronometer, already mentally rearranging several things that someone else would undoubtedly insist were important. "I'll make sure we're not disturbed."

A beat passed before Phoenix added, with the faintest touch of dry humour, "And I promise I am considerably better company than my current appearance might suggest." It was acknowledgement enough. No explanation. Not yet. Her smile warmed. "I'll have my transporter chief notified to expect you. Unless you would prefer to arrive by shuttle, of course." Phoenix inclined her head. "I look forward to seeing you, Lady Vanei." She hesitated for just a fraction of a second. "And thank you." The words were sincere. "For accepting an invitation without first requiring me to submit it in triplicate." The courtly mischief returned. "I was beginning to worry that might be a local custom."

Acknowledgement received. Vanei nodded, understanding the response as an explanation that, at the moment, was left off of communication channels. She indulged an air of amusement, one far more sincere than what Phoenix had received earlier, to the mention of a rather obnoxious procedure she knew someone often preferred. "Such a procedure is unnecessary for a harmless invitation of tea." Her words were deliberate. She didn’t call it standard procedure.

Vanei paused for a few seconds to consider how she'd get off the planet. It was a very strong suggestion to have protection when travelling off-world. She read through those statutes a while ago, when she was planning to attend a conference, and saw that it wasn't as required as Sama made it seem. Of course, the situation had to be considered, but the Head of House could choose the company she kept. Even as she sat in her office, she had pushed her guard out so she could have at least one moment to herself. "I'll let you know of my transportation preference," she responded. At the same time, she blinked twice, the action quick enough to pass as someone merely dealing with the discomfort of dry eyes. Transporter logs would leave a record if done on government grounds, Vanei knew this. Her House administered the Orbital Control station, and if a Head of House requested something, it was in the best interest of one's commission to obey it.

Phoenix caught the two blinks. Nothing in her expression changed. It might have meant nothing. An irritation of the eye. Fatigue. Any one of a dozen perfectly ordinary things. Except Vanei had done it immediately after saying she would advise Phoenix of her transportation preference. Phoenix had been raised around people who could conduct entire conversations across banquet tables without speaking a word. She understood. More importantly, she understood that acknowledgement would defeat the purpose. "Of course," Phoenix replied easily. "Whatever is most convenient for you." No mention of transporters. No mention of shuttles. No indication whatsoever that she had understood anything beyond Vanei's spoken words. "I'll ensure Elysium is prepared to receive you." Her smile remained warm. "And I shall endeavour to make certain the tea justifies the journey." A slight inclination of her head. "Until then, Lady Vanei."

Phoenix waited for Vanei to end the connection. Only when the First House seal had disappeared did she remain still for several seconds, staring at the now-dark screen. Interesting. Very interesting. The wording had been deliberate. A harmless invitation of tea. Not standard procedure. And then there had been the blink. Twice. Phoenix leaned back slowly. She was beginning to suspect that Lady Vanei had invited herself to considerably more than tea. That was fine. Phoenix could be patient. She reached for the console, then stopped before touching it.

No. If Vanei was taking care with the manner in which she travelled to Elysium, Phoenix wasn't going to undermine that care by leaving an unnecessary trail of instructions. Instead, she rose. Her body immediately reminded her that Sickbay had opinions regarding precisely how much activity she should currently be undertaking. Phoenix ignored it. She had an hour. Enough time to change, make herself presentable, arrange tea and ensure that the place she intended to receive Vanei was appropriate. And to decide precisely how much she was prepared to tell the Head of the First House. Phoenix crossed toward the door before pausing. There was one other matter. "Avalon" She spoke to the ships AI interface. The system chirped. "Please inform the diplomatic department that I will be unavailable for the next two hours." A beat. "Unless the ship is actively exploding, I am not to be disturbed." The computer acknowledged the instruction. Phoenix considered it. "Actually..." A faint smile. "Especially if someone from Sickbay asks." Then she stepped through the doors.

And she headed off to get ready.

Vanei gave Phoenix a final smile before ending the connection, after which that smile turned into something thoughtful as she leaned back into her seat. Curious. The behaviours Phoenix had indicated were absolutely characteristic of Sama. Something happened between them. The timing of her call relative to both the Sovereignty's chamber session and the arrests had to be more than coincidence. Perhaps Sama was busier than she initially thought. She had an hour; it was imperative that she spent it wisely.

---

The Elysium's shuttlebay doors were open to accept the personal shuttle that arrived one hour after the invitation was extended. It was a sleek design, like a narrower Delta Flyer. It had no notable markings to indicate its occupants, just a simple grey-toned palette with the word Mavora painted along its hull as a designation. Its landing gear extended, taking the weight of the shuttle as it settled to land, and a few seconds later the aft hatch opened.

Vanei gathered the translucent container from the storage compartment, showing a neatly organised collection of sweets from Niea IV. There was, of course, no obligation to bring anything but an ear, but the unspoken in their earlier communication established mutual trust, and she felt that was worth recognising. Her v-neck shirt was accompanied by simple trousers, a professional look that also respected a desire for comfort.

Phoenix stood to one side of the shuttlebay as the Lonian craft completed its landing sequence. She had deliberately kept the reception small. No diplomatic delegation. No honour guard. No cluster of senior officers waiting to turn an invitation to tea into an unofficial state visit. There were only those personnel necessary to receive a foreign shuttle aboard the Elysium—and Phoenix herself. She had changed since their earlier conversation. Not into dress uniform; that would have defeated the entire point. Her uniform was immaculate, her hair tidied, and she had managed to make herself look considerably less like someone who had recently been ordered to rest.

The bruising at her temple remained. Phoenix had considered concealing it. She hadn't. As the shuttle hatch opened, Phoenix waited for Vanei to emerge before stepping forward. “Lady Vanei.” She offered the Head of the First House the respectful inclination of her head due her position, but the smile accompanying it was considerably warmer. “Welcome aboard the Elysium.” Her gaze flickered briefly toward the shuttle. “I hope the journey was uneventful.”

Vanei’s eyes fell upon Phoenix, noting the sharp and collected appearance and how it contrasted with the bruise. She returned the smile with one of her own, almost mimicking Phoenix’s gesture with impeccable precision. “Commodore, thank you. The journey was.” She left it at that as she also greeted those who there to receive a foreign dignitary. Nobody else exited the shuttle behind her; Vanei came alone. She raised the container only enough to draw attention to it. The see-through container was on purpose, as she knew in times of diplomatic tension it was understandable and expected for a party to be wary of another’s offering. It showed she had nothing to hide. “I appreciate the invitation, and hope a personal contribution is appropriate.”

Phoenix's eyes dropped to the container, and for a moment the Commodore gave way to the woman who had genuinely invited someone for tea. "More than appropriate," she replied, her smile widening as she took in the neatly arranged sweets. "Although now I fear what I've arranged to accompany the tea is about to suffer terribly by comparison." There was an ease to the words that had been notably absent from her conversations with Sama. Phoenix gestured toward the shuttlebay exit.
"Come. I've chosen somewhere a little less conventional for us." As they began walking, Phoenix's gaze briefly swept back toward the Mavora. No escort. No consul. No security detail. Vanei had come alone. Phoenix registered it alongside the unmarked shuttle, the two blinks during their earlier conversation, and Vanei's carefully chosen assurance that tea required no particular procedure. Trust, perhaps. Or simply an understanding that there were conversations best conducted without witnesses. Either way, Phoenix would respect it. "I considered one of our diplomatic suites," she said conversationally as they entered the turbolift, "but I decided that would rather defeat the purpose of inviting you for tea."

The doors closed behind them. "Arboretum." Phoenix glanced toward Vanei. "Diplomatic suites have an unfortunate tendency to remind everyone that they're supposed to be diplomatic." A hint of amusement touched her eyes. "And my Ready Room has the equally unfortunate tendency to remind everyone that I'm a Commodore." She paused. "I thought somewhere neither of us officially belongs might be preferable." The change was noticeable almost immediately upon entering the Arboretum. The controlled sterility of Elysium's corridors gave way to warmth and growing things. Paths wound between trees and carefully maintained gardens, with the distant sound of running water mingling with the subtle environmental systems that kept the enormous space alive.

Phoenix's pace slowed. "This way." She led Vanei away from the more frequently travelled paths. The route narrowed gradually, disappearing behind a screen of greenery before opening into a small secluded garden tucked away from the main Arboretum. At its centre sat a gazebo, partially concealed by climbing plants and surrounded by enough foliage that someone could walk the nearby paths without immediately realising it was there. A table had been prepared beneath it. Not a diplomatic spread. No flags. No ceremonial place settings. A teapot, two cups, milk, sweeteners, several small plates and a modest selection of food. Two comfortable wing chairs. Nothing more.

Phoenix stepped aside to allow Vanei into the gazebo first. "My hiding place." The words carried a touch of humour. "One of them, anyway." Her gaze travelled briefly over the garden. "On a ship carrying thousands of people, I've discovered that genuinely quiet places become something of a precious commodity." Then she looked back to Vanei. "No aides. No legal teams. No guards." A small smile flitted across her lips"And, with any luck, no one asking either of us to make a decision for at least thirty minutes." Phoenix indicated the table. "Though I make no guarantees where my crew is concerned. Please have a seat."

What Phoenix said about characteristically formal locations on the ship not being ideal locations for tea made sense. The whole invitation was centred around getting away from formality. When they entered the arboretum, Vanei's pace slowed as she took it in. Her eyes widened with awe and curiosity. There were similar structures on the surface, but seeing one filled with so many alien flora was fascinating in its own right. The warmth was a pleasant change from the controlled environment of the government buildings and even that of the corridor they just came from. She took in a slow, deep breath, the air itself seemingly alive with the complex smells and the twinge of humidity.

When Phoenix spoke again, Vanei refocused her attention and followed, smiling at the hidden setup. "Wow..." She accepted the invitation, setting the container in an available spot on the table before taking a seat. Then, gradually, she let go. Her shoulders relaxed as she settled into the wing chair. That court composure was still there, but it was more malleable, allowing the person behind the formality to breathe. "I understand why this one of the places you retreat to," she complimented. "This is... truly incredible. On a starship, too. It feels like I'm on another world."

Phoenix watched the change with quiet satisfaction. It was subtle, but there nonetheless. The lowering of Vanei's shoulders. The way her attention wandered freely over the garden rather than remaining fixed upon Phoenix. The slight loosening of that carefully maintained court composure. Good. For perhaps the first time since they had met, Phoenix was seeing something of the woman beneath the title. "That is rather the point," Phoenix replied warmly. She settled into the opposite chair. "When you're aboard a ship for long enough, you learn that sometimes you need somewhere that doesn't feel like one." Phoenix glanced out through the foliage surrounding the gazebo. "The Elysium has holodecks, of course. I could walk through the gardens of Paris, on the capital planet of the Federation, sit beside an Erisian lake, or spend an afternoon on a beach without ever leaving the ship." A faint smile. "But you always know it's a holodeck." She reached for the teapot. "This is real." There was something quietly important in that distinction. "Everything growing around us has to be tended. Occasionally something dies. Occasionally something grows where the horticultural staff are adamant it shouldn't." Phoenix's eyes sparkled. "And occasionally someone in command suggests that perhaps the plant knows better than the horticultural staff." She lifted the pot, then paused. "Tea?"

"Please," Vanei responded with a smile.

Only now, with the immediate spectacle of the arboretum fading, would Vanei have reason to notice the service itself. It was unmistakably old. Not old through damage or neglect; every piece had been meticulously cared for. The porcelain was a soft pearl-white, almost translucent where the light caught its thinnest edges. Delicate silverwork traced the rims and handles, interwoven with deep amethyst detailing and patterns distinctly unlike anything normally seen aboard a Starfleet vessel. Phoenix handled it with unconscious familiarity.

And indeed, Vanei did notice. She remembered the arrangement from the diplomatic lunch. This wasn't any standard service, it was a personal touch.

"Erisian," she explained, noticing Vanei's attention. "My grandmother's, originally." A tiny pause. "Then my mother's." Something almost mischievous touched her expression. "And now mine, despite several people on Erisia who would probably have very strong opinions about that particular chain of ownership." Phoenix poured Vanei's tea before her own. "One of the traditions from home I decided was worth keeping." Her gaze moved to the transparent container Vanei had brought. "Though tradition also says the guest who arrives bearing sweets immediately becomes the favourite guest." She smiled. "So you are doing exceptionally well thus far." Phoenix finished pouring and settled back into her chair, cup in hand. For once, she made no attempt to steer the conversation anywhere. No Sama. No prisoners. No Bedia Convention. No carefully positioned question waiting behind the next sentence. Vanei had come aboard alone. She had brought something from her world to share. And when offered somewhere safe enough to lower her guard, she had done so. Phoenix could give her a few minutes in which that trust wasn't immediately exploited. "So..." Phoenix took a small sip. "Tell me something about Vanei." A beat. "Not the First House. Not Her Grace." Her smile softened. "Just Vanei."

Vanei smirked at the comment about becoming a favourite guest. She accepted the cup and brought it close to take in the fragrance. Crossing one leg over the other, she took a tentative sip, only cautious to avoid burning her tongue, as she pondered Phoenix's request. It wasn't often that she got to talk about herself. Her role as a Head of House required a certain maintained appearance, one she was certain Phoenix understood. Setting the cup aside, she lifted one of her sleeves enough to expose a bracelet. The material looked similar to leather, and it was dyed with a blue-purple gradient. The material was woven into complex patterns, with small beadwork incorporated in places. She slid it off her hand and offered it to Phoenix to inspect closer. "I learned from my grandmother," she began. "It's a craft passed down orally to each daughter."

Phoenix accepted the bracelet with obvious care, her eyes immediately drawn to the intricate weaving.
"Oh, Vanei..." The formality slipped before she could catch it. She turned the bracelet gently between her fingers, examining the beadwork and the gradient of colour. "This is exquisite." Her gaze lifted, clearly impressed. "And you made this?"
At Vanei's explanation, Phoenix looked back at the bracelet with renewed appreciation. "Passed from grandmother to granddaughter..." A warm smile touched her face. "That's wonderful." She carefully offered it back. "How long does something like this take to make?"

Vanei nodded, watching with a smile as Phoenix admired it. “This one took a few months. I worked on it when I had free time, which isn’t as often as I would like.” She gave a gentle chuckle, “my grandmother, Lady Kalani, was relieved when my parents finally had a daughter. I have...” Her smile faltered only slightly, “... had five older brothers, and the tradition is passed down through the women of the family." When it was offered back to her, she held up a hand, “keep it, if you like it. I can always make another.”

Phoenix wanted to say yes but she hesitated. "Older brothers?" She said noticing the small faulter. "Five?. Thats a very large family."

"Given your background, I think you understand the importance of ensuring a successor," Vanri shrugged. "While there is nothing preventing a male heir, it's very rare because our lineages are maternal. My parents love all of their children, but they wanted a daughter, if anything to allow the tradition to continue." At the mention of 'tradition,' she looked at the bracelet. She then removed the lid on the see-through container, having neglected it since they arrived, and set the sweets on the table before moving the container out of the way. Picking up her tea, she selected one of the sweets, something resembling a shortbread cookie, before dipping an end into the tea and taking a bite.

Phoenix's lips quirked. "Oh, I understand. My world is patriarchal." She lifted her cup, though she didn't drink immediately. "Which apparently made my arrival something of a cosmic joke at my father's expense. His firstborn child was a daughter." Her eyes gleamed with quiet amusement. "And then, only a few minutes later, along came my twin brother and restored order to the universe." There was no bitterness in the words. Not exactly. Enough years had passed that Phoenix could find humour in circumstances that had once seemed perfectly ordinary simply because she had grown up surrounded by them. "My brother was the heir," she continued. "That was decided by the rather inconvenient fact that he was male, despite me having beaten him into the world." A faint smile appeared over the rim of her cup. "Something I may have reminded him of occasionally." Phoenix finally took a sip of tea before setting the cup carefully back into its saucer. "So yes, I understand families placing a great deal of importance upon producing the particular child tradition demands." Her expression softened. "Though in your family's case, I rather like that what they were waiting for wasn't simply an heir. Your grandmother was waiting for someone she could give something to."

Her gaze dropped again to the bracelet still resting between them. "Something that couldn't simply be written into a record or placed in an archive."
Phoenix reached toward it, but stopped just short of touching it. "And that is precisely why I'm having difficulty accepting this." Her eyes lifted to Vanei's. "Not because I don't want it." A small smile appeared. "I very much do. Which is actually making the situation worse." There was a flicker of humour before her expression became more thoughtful. "You spent months making it. Your grandmother taught you how. Her grandmother may have taught her, and somewhere behind them are generations of women whose names I don't know, passing the same knowledge from one pair of hands to another." Phoenix touched one fingertip lightly against the woven edge. "That makes it considerably more than a bracelet." For a few seconds she studied Vanei, as though attempting to decide whether the offer had been spontaneous generosity or something more deliberate. Eventually, Phoenix picked it up.

"If you're certain..." The question lingered only briefly. Vanei had already offered it once. Phoenix wasn't going to insult her by demanding she justify the gift. She slipped the bracelet carefully over her hand. The blue-purple gradient settled against her wrist and Phoenix rotated it slightly, watching the woven pattern catch against the light filtering through the greenery. Her smile became unmistakably genuine. "Then thank you." She looked back at Vanei. "And I shall attempt not to contemplate what diplomatic historians will make of the Head of the First House giving the Commodore of the Elysium a piece of jewellery during a supposedly harmless afternoon tea." A beat. "Actually, no." Phoenix reached for one of the sweets Vanei had brought. "I'm going to enjoy imagining it." She examined the biscuit-like confection for a second before following Vanei's example and dipping one edge into her tea.

Vanei nodded her silent insistence. She then grinned, "after all, one can hardly be held responsible for where conversation wanders over tea. It looks lovely on you." She took a sip of her tea before continuing. "The lesson is far more significant. The craft requires patience. Mistakes are inevitable, but also temporary. It also requires a keen ear for what is said and what isn't."

The gazebo held space for their conversation, offered room for occasional laughter and a promise that only the leaves surrounding them knew the words which were spoken. They'd exchange stories, then eat or drink, then do it again with another topic. If matters of state came up, it was only brief enough to acknowledge grievances or frustrations. The gazebo was their only witness.

A half hour moseyed by.

It was with reluctant acknowledgement that Vanei realised she should be getting back to her world, with her politics and her insufferable colleague. As she finished her tea and insisted that Phoenix keep the remaining sweets, she remembered her preparation before coming here. She slowly reached into her pocket and pulled out a data chip. It was yellow, and engraved on it was the seal of the First House. She briefly stared at it before setting it on the table between them.

Phoenix looked at the chip then raised an eyebrow at Vanei with s curious look.

"Administrative records," Vanei said simply, anticipating the question. She didn't elaborate further on what the records were. It wasn't her place to. From the discussion they had over tea, she knew the commodore would do what she needed to. While her courtly mask began to come back up in anticipation of leaving the gazebo, there was still enough of her own personal touch to it to hint that she wasn't speaking as a Head of House. "I do not hold the honour of the Sovereignty's seventh generation tie-breaker because of my House's responsibilities. My family has always believed that a decision is only as sound as the information behind it. I would be betraying that belief if I knew any decisions you may make regarding your crew may not be fully informed." She offered a little smile, "I cannot tell you what your decision should be, but I can make sure you are not 'left in the dark,' I believe is the Human term."

Phoenix picked it up gently, carefully. It held more than she had expected. "Thank you" She said honestly. "We will treat it with the upmost discretion."

After the tea was done, Phoenix personally escorted Vanei back to her shuttle and watched the shuttle leave. Then she handed the information over to Security and Intelligence.

OFF