In the time he had called for Burnham and waiting for her arrival, Pike found himself reading and rereading the text on the…Imprint.

Suffice to say, it hadn't been what he expected. He hadn't broached the reading material in the topic of vampire mating practices or its subsections because it wasn't deemed…important enough, irreverent. As a captain, he didn't get involved with his officers or subordinate crew that way because it would easily lead to work complications and could lead to undermining trust with the others. A functional crew without those…ties were what kept the bridge going.

Sure, he knew Burnham had changed since he had…deflected her interest and he knew his gut said it was to do with him; he was not stupid but Burnham still produced optimal work that it didn't warrant too much scrutiny. But… this was more than an interest. Perhaps it was his ignorance on the matter but it didn't make it less complicated. Only furthered it. It made him less than thrilled but this was a necessary conversation he didn't want to have, but he had to have.

He was the captain, he needed to oversee the welfare of the crew, even if she was undead. She was affected by him. He needed to address this and how to work with it now he was aware. He couldn't just let it drop and know he could do something. Even if it went nowhere, an attempt had to be made.

Pike hovered by the dark window to the void of space, it's vast blackness since they had long-left their early orbital star, seeing the brief flash as the Vulcan ship left—he knew that he'd get an explanation about what had occurred. Probably something mundane in the terms of recent events…. He had yet to fully unpack on Nhan was on about further…

The captain let out a heavy breath, turning as the turbolift doors to see the Commander step out; her expression crafted to something passive; once again making it hard to read her; the blackness in her eyes made it difficult to even tell if she was…hungry or angry, yet Pike couldn't see any of it in her posture. It was…still disconcerting.

"You wanted to see me, Captain."

Even her voice was crafted well; as if there wasn't an issue; as if she didn't know. It bothered him a little but he forced himself to nod and smile. "Commander Nhan, which I'm sure you're already aware" Nhan's scent no doubt lingered, "came to me."

Burnham's head tilted, "Okay?"

Pike's gaze lingered on her face before dropping to the PADD, "Normally, Commander, the topic of this meeting, I would have preferred to address when it's near or after our shifts but…I think you've put this off a little long for that."

For a second, it was like he was talking to a statue, there was no outward response to Burnham's face and it bothered him; frustrated him even that he wasn't getting anything to work off; no feed visual back to her expression, her emotions. Her stillness was much stiffer but that was all.

"Nhan… came to me with the suspicion that you…imprinted on me." He said. "I must admit, I never read the file that deep; I didn't think anything but…I would have liked to have been told, Michael." He raised his eyebrow at her.

Burnham finally moved, her eyes flickered down to his desk. "You…wanted to keep things professional, sir. I didn't think it would be appropriate of me to keep insisting a Starfleet captain to read a very specific topic of the species file."

Pike tisked softly, shaking his head. He could easily open that gate but he had still shot himself in the foot there. He should have read it. He looked to the PADD, turning it in his fingers though moved to seat himself down in his chair, facing Burnham.

"It still puts me in a very…complex situation. I know now that the Imprint is a very big deal in Vampire culture, even if it's kept on the down-low. I know that…it was involuntary on your part." That was probably one of the few things that made him uncomfortable; the fact she had no control over it. Tied into her biology. "I take it you're embarrassed about it."

Her eyes remained away, her head tilting away but it gave him his answer.

Pike sighed out. "Burnham, there's nothing to be ashamed about this. You didn't have a choice."

"I do not like…." Burnham started but she stopped, her jaw snapping shut before shaking her head. "Being…what I am, was never a choice. I've been robbed of many choices since my transformation. I would have liked to have…had a choice on a partner without my physiology once again dictating it."

Pike sighed out heavily. It was an all fair point and it was clear to see it was a lot on Burnham's part to admit it. "We can't change what has happened in terms of…this. Clearly, something believes we're…compatible to start with. Is there something I could do to help?"

The vampire's eyes remained away from him, once again, cutting him away from learning anything but he stayed quiet, not pressing. It took a full minute though before her eyes flickered to him.

"I don't know what you can do, Sir. No one's rejected the imprint before but… I don't think this is something that we can just…expect to fix. Those bonds are broken."

"Can they be fixed?" Guilt though did tug a little at his heart; that he had caused her this…duress.

"I don't know."

Pike closed his eyes, his hand coming to run through his hair. "You're not making this easy on me, Michael."

"Sorry, sir."

"Chris." He corrected softly. "Maybe…let's…rethink this. We're…both awkward about this and neither of us is going to have a successful conversation with our ranks in place. Let's, just….be Michael and Chris."

"Yes…Chris."

For a moment they relapsed in silence but he let his mind evaluate this… step by step. He could see this was perhaps a completely new area for her. He knew a little from her file and from Spock; raised on Vulcan and went straight to a starship. Spock had spoken about her intelligence but Pike couldn't imagine she had the…emotional experience to accept something so…obviously profound in their nature.

"Michael, have you ever…dated anyone before?"

"No. On Vulcan, they don't need that given their arranged marriages."

Ah. Explained a lot about Vulcans. This arrangement stopped complications until the wedding day. "On the Shenzhou?"

"I've had a few…brief encounters but nothing that would be considered a date. After certain ranks, I didn't feel it was appropriate to pursue subordinate officers."

Pike nodded slowly. "Then…I suppose this is a…whole new area you're inexperienced with. Never had to deal with…asking someone out or being asked out in return. I suppose if you were, you don't know how to respond?" He cocked his head at her.

Michael huffed softly and nodded. "I am out of my depths"

"Then….why don't we try and come up with a solution?"

Michael's eyes flickered up to him sharply, her lips pressed together tightly. "I don't want you to accept this out of…any sense of obligation."

"I'll keep it in mind, Michael but I won't be jumping into anything without considering all the options. First, I need to know what they are, I need to know you… and I need to know if I don't or if I do choose to pursue an avenue, how it'll affect the working relationship I have with you. Sound reasonable?"

She eyed him for a moment then nodded. "I can work with that."

Pike felt a swell of relief. "Good."

Though it was subtle, even he could feel the slight change in the air; the shift in her posture to something looser, her expression softening. Not nearly so tense. So a good sign… perhaps they could restart the whole thing on a new note to keep everyone happy.

Admiral Cornwell eyed the few admirals as she took a seat at the table with the other Admirals, Sarek, and a few of the other ambassadors though she could immediately smell their wariness at her presence; although understandable, it was getting mildly irritable.

"Admiral Cornwell, I'm glad you've joined us," Admiral Shukar spoke, his blue antennae's straighten; now both the same length; having healed up since the war although he was clearly the one to call this meeting.

"I'm surprised you'd think I'd miss this. My duties to Starfleet hasn't changed." No, she could balance her day fairly easily without the need of sleep. A benefit really and she took full advantage of it. "But I must confess, I am surprised this was made at all. I take it Starfleet has uncovered something that requires our attention."

"Indeed."

On the screen, a few documents and reports, enough for Katrina's eyebrow rose as she read over them. "How is this such an issue?"

"You've requested significant Federation assets that we're concerned about, Admiral Cornwell."

Katrina's head turned though this quickly clicked that this wasn't a meeting as much as it was an interrogation between heads. She could see the reports but none would actually hold to have her removed from her position if that's what they were trying to do. Did her position here threaten them in some way or did they foresee issues?

"Hardly. From what I can see, you have reports of trade agreements through independent traders and groups." She pointed out. "I do currently use a federation ship but that is because I am a Vice Admiral, therefore entitled to it through diplomatic relations. I am after all Governor of the Vampire Legislation as well."

"We are no so concerned with…trade agreements, Admiral Cornwell, but we know you've reopened the mines on the planet for the dilithium. The Federation closed those for a reason."

"Bloodstone is no longer part of Starfleet, it's the VL's property and those reasons only apply to live species. Vampires do not need those restrictions therefore no longer applies." Katarina raised her eyebrow. "What are you really questioning me about? All that I've done is all legal, processed, and documented."

Looks were passed around, Sarek remained passive expression nor looked like he was overly bothered though she could smell more in his coppery scent that there were …traces of cortisol. That wagered her caution; he was aware of something she wasn't…he would be anxious if he were human; obviously so, but the only residue through his emotional suppression was a basic indication. He wanted her to know.

Katrina's eyes shifted around, taking in the various admirals; reading their levels of heat to the heartbeat. They were all anxious but Shukar was most…almost annoyed even. Terral, like Sarek, was most passive but she could feel there was more agenda to this too.

"There's a…worrying belief of human trafficking that is taking place behind Starfleet's back." Sarek spoke up, earning himself a worried glance, "Many humans and non- have gone missing, a good portion of them are Starfleet officers."

Admiral Cornwell's brow furrowed. "Given the amount of tension I can smell and feel from most of you, it's directed towards me. Is there any form of implication towards the Vampire Legislation that we're responsible?"

Shukar stepped forwards, his antenna twitching with mild discomfort but he had a welt of confidence. "We're exploring the possibility, Vice Admiral. We know Vampires are responsible. We found some bodies."

"Not the vampires that were or are part of the federation. It's highly likely Ophelia, Michael Burnham's Sire, has decided to make a few new friends but they are of a different culture of vampire. Ophelia is not part of the VL and I have no responsibility to that fraction."

"The threat is not coming that we can ignore, Katrina." Paris spoke up softly, "She…may not be of your group but she is still a vampire; one that is considered very dangerous that we also cannot seem to find. The missing people are closing to 55 Starfleet officers and we have no idea of the missing of the non-federation species. It could be in the hundreds by now"

"Your concerns are noted, Admiral Paris and I can assure you that my people are looking into it."

"You have not made any progress?"

"I've assigned a particularly skilled vampire to the case." Section 31 did have it's uses after all. Georgiou had expressed her clear desire to kill the elder Vampire. "It's also highly unlikely all of those 55 missing officers were turned. In a simulation, it's estimated only one human in ten would survive a vampire's bite to fully transform when there's no influence of our culture involved"

Troubled looks still lingered. "That's still mean five other vampires that are rogue."

"Indeed, but Ophelia will slip up and when she does, I'd gladly have her face the justice for the death on her hands. Starfleet may not have a death penalty but with us, it's necessary."

There were a few nods of an agreement but Sarek still remained passive.

"Now, I do believe there are other things…"

Though as the meeting changed from focusing on her and the vampire groups, there was no mistake that there was more to it and it bugged her. This was not going to be the end of it, and she was right. As everyone departed, she found herself walking with Ambassador Sarek towards the shuttle bay.

"Admiral Cornwell, the prime species of concern are the humans of Starfleet, I'm sure this is no concern for you to know that."

"No. My species evolved to hunt them; I do know this is a natural prejudice."

Sarek's head tilted, "Despite your relationship before, it is becoming more apparent that they see you for what you are, not who you were before. I express this concern because both Andorians and Tellerites are showing similar traits now that my daughter's Sire is making more uncontrolled vampires under our noses."

"And the Vulcans?"

"There are concerns but the fact you've incorporated some Vulcan ideals into your laws has proven they you're a reasonable controlled species, more so than humans. We can see the differences between Ophelia's culture and your own and cannot pass judgment onto you on the basis of one fraction. Vulcan has lived with fractures in our passed and we've learned to overcome them."

It was not hard to see he was crafting words carefully. There was no…freedom of further discussed concerns. It worried her a little more. He was warning them. Starfleet didn't have decimation, but that didn't mean that if they posed a proper threat, they would be voted from the federation for the safety of the UFP. If that happened, they'd be sorely limited in resources and space; they'd have to go through a lot of red tape to get to other systems through Federation space…

"I see."

"The Vulcan High command has requested me to become a liaison for a non-federation treaty between our species. I have accepted."

"That's why you're talking to me now." There was some relief… that there was some good in all this but Cornwell knew they were all treading fine lines.

"I've sent the necessary paperwork through your personal channels."

Katrina nodded softly, pursing her lips though she could see her shuttle ahead as the bay doors opened. "Why is there so much concern now? I knew Ophelia would be a problem but it seems rather sudden to accuse or imply anything against us."

"I do not know, Admiral." Though his tone said nothing, the perking of his eyebrow was. Sarek stopped and raised his hand into the traditional salute, "For now, live long and prosper. Admiral Cornwell."

Admiral Cornwell echoed his movements "You too, Ambassador. I look forwards to further correspondents. "

Inside the shuttle, Katrina waited until the shuttle shot into warp back to Bloodstone before picking up her PADD but her stomach and posture tightened as she read the awaiting notice.

Dear Admiral Katrina Cornwell, Governor of the Vampire Legislation.

Section 31's AI, Control, had labelled vampires as a critical threat and is advising Starfleet officials against the overuse of assigning vampire officers into missions. There is a rumour that the VL is attempting to persuade humans to join a colony on Bloodstone; to serve a separated population for reproduction or entertainment needs….

The list did go on and Katrina made herself read them with a slither of annoyance that grew with each one…. But the implications were growing that; Starfleet or part of Starfleet has started an isolation tactic to drive them away; they didn't want vampires and it seemed they weren't against making up material…

Which meant they had to be very careful now… but it wasn't impossible to workaround. Vampires couldn't be illegalized and they had rights as sentient beings; the federation had their laws they couldn't go back on; nothing she couldn't work with while she still had this position…May as well use it to her advantage.