---- Original Message ----
> Matt couldn't help but laugh, and was glad there was no cognac in his
> mouth at the time, because it would have sprayed across the room, no
> doubt amusing the women, but embarrassing himself. "My attacking Ael
> and surviving is... incompatible with her nature," he agreed. He
> looked to Carrhae, considering her words further. "You served under
> her?"
Realizing that he really was so preoccupied that he had not offered either
Kitanya or herself a seat, Carrhae took a seat beside him. "It was my
first assignment with the Tal Shiar, although I do not believe anyone on
Rea's Helm, other than the 'official' Tal Shiar officer, knew this. I was
assigned to monitor Federation activity using newly developed computer
technology."
"I see," he said. He felt like an idiot. He'd been preoccupied. "Have a seat,
Kit," he offered the cat. "Can I get you anything to drink?" he asked them
both. "I'm afraid I'm almost out of cognac, but there's some Saurian brandy...."
He looked to Kit and brought back his crooked half smile. "I'm sure I could come
up with a saucer of milk...." It was a joke between them so old he had to dust it
every time he said it.
"Matthew, have you been relieved?"
He swallowed, and tilted his head, as if trying to decide how best to answer the
question. "Not... *exactly*...," he told her. "But upon consultation with my
medstaff, it seems that my presence would probably jeopardize the real patients in
Sickbay, since we've got reporters and celebrity hounds pretending to be ill in
order to get in. Without me there, the pressure on them to act stupidly diminshes
greatly."
