Hitting The Fan Fast

Posted on Wed Oct 25th, 2017 @ 1:40pm by Captain Michelle Bartlett & Lieutenant Talea Honn

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/3
Location: CDO's Office
Timeline: June 17, 2399 @ 0745

Michelle was already awake, not having slept that well the last few nights anyway. She could see the aftermath of the explosion clear in her head. Nothing was right about this and there were very clearly now two commanding officers on board. It was uncomfortable. And the crew had no idea who to trust but they didn't trust Bowman. Not because they knew of anything, but because of how she'd treated them the last few months. It was almost insufferable. In some ways she hoped for a battle to break out to get the crew united again. But that would likely mean more bodies and she was really getting tired of that side of it.

"According to the Commodore, the Dalacari government has asked for substantial compensation and non-agression treaty. The Klingons still want their Captain freed even though he violated the law." Talea said. "It sounds like the first round went rather well all things considered."

"I wouldn't be so confident yet. Have they found anything regarding the investigation?" Michelle asked.

"I'm waiting on Commodore Myers to transmit that to me, ma'am. He likely is just getting his day started." Honn added. "Strategic Operations and Intelligence were in the office this morning and as far as any Organization ties, they're hitting a dead end. This would be their most successful attack in years... You'd think they'd be all over this."

"Troubling that they're being so quiet..." Michelle said. "I wonder who's really behind this." she added, though she also knew to an extent... Her thoughts were interrupted by an aide talking to someone who seemed rather unhappy.

"Sir, you can't just-- I'm sorry, ma'am." he said as Honn and Michelle both saw a rather unhappy Lieutenant Damian standing in the entry way.

"Lieutenant.. Can I help you?" Michelle asked, rather confused.

"Valeria has been arrested..." he said, the anger he felt clearly evident in his tone.

"What?! Arrested?! On what grounds? What happened?!"

"That asshole Lo'Mah and his goons just arrested her in the science lab," he answered before remembering he was speaking too the de facto Executive Officer. "Sorry for the language ma'am, but..they just stormed in with weapons drawn and took her. From the way they acted you would have thought she was Kodos the Executioner from Tarsus IV and not a science officer. Claimed she was wanted for treason and murder."

"Since when the hell do Marines walk in on a Federation starship all guns blazing?" Michelle asked. "Who authorized the arrest??"

"They claimed it was authorized by Admiral Marquette, ma'am." Charles answered. Personally he didn't believe the warrant was authentic, much less valid, but at this point that was pure conjecture on his part. He had no proof to the contrary so he did not voice his opinion.

Michelle frowned a little at that thought. It didn't seem her style, but she would have to get more information regarding this. All she knew was that as of this point, the Ts'usugi hadn't blown THEM up, so there was probably still some time to salvage this. "I will have to speak with Commander Bowman to get a copy of that warrant. It still doesn't explain what the hell Lo'Mah is doing, but..." she sighed. "I think we've got more than a few problems on board."

"I think you're right," Charles agreed. He hesitated a moment before speaking again. "Permission to speak freely, ma'am?"

"By all means." she said, looking at him as to what he was about to say.

"I know he's the second officer on the ship," Damian said carefully, "but how much do you know about Major Lo'Mah?"

"Barely anything." Michelle said. "I know Colonel Blanchard wasn't overly fond of him. He always said that he was a hell of a Marine but a lousy commander. They did have some disagreements over Bowman ordering the Marines in guns blazing on our last mission with the talks. Makes you wonder why the hell Bowman named him Second Officer. Surely to god, Lawson or someone else could be filling in."

Damian nodded in agreement. "He definitely seems gung ho, that's for sure. Maybe a little too much so. In fact, it almost seemed like he enjoyed arresting Valeria." Charles thought for a moment before adding "I still don't understand why they came into the lab with their weapons drawn. We're scientists, not soldiers. Was he really expecting to have to take her by force? Or was it something just to feed his male jarhead ego?"

"I'd say six of one, half dozen of the other." Michelle said. "Something now really stinks and we need to figure out what. They didn't manage to get near the vault of Fire Dust I hope."

"As far as I know they did not," Damian said, thankful for the extra level of protection he and Walker had provided. "It is locked down under voice-activated protection that requires both Lieutenant Walker and myself to access it. For anyone to gain access to that vault, they would have to be a VERY experienced computer hacker."

"Well, at least one thing's gone right. I do have to ask though... And I'm not doing it because I believe she's guilty but... You and Commander T'Pral never observed any odd behaviour from her leading up to this, right?"

"No ma'am, not that I can recall," Charles responded. "Obviously I can't speak for Commander T'Pral but if she ever saw anything, she never mentioned it to me."

"I've been having tea with Valeria once a week. Sometimes more. One of the few junior officers I actually know all that well." Michelle said. "We'll get her out of there... Believe me." added.

"I hope so," Charles replied. "Valeria doesn't seem to be capable of intentionally hurting anyone, let alone commit murder." He shook his head slowly. "There's just something about Lo'Mah that doesn't seem right to me. I don't trust him any farther than I could throw this ship."

"The Lieutenant isn't wrong, Commander." Honn said. "It's hard to pinpoint but even I sense some duplicity in him. Something is up with him and it might be worth letting Commander Bowman know."

"If she'll listen." Michelle said.

"I don't think she'll have much of a choice." Honn said. "If he's up to something, she has to do it whether he's her favourite or not."

"Agreed." Michelle said. "Can someone just sedate me and wake me up when this is all over?"

"I'll be glad when it's over as well..." Charles agreed. "We need Valeria back in the labs. She knows more about that 'Fire Dust' than anyone else."

"I'll have her back out of there by dinner if I can get through Admiral Marquette. Don't you worry about that." she said, feeling a bit overwhelmed at all she now had to accomplish. This must have been part of the entire plot altogether.

=/\= "Commander Bartlett, report to the bridge." came the voice of an officer over the commbadge.

"How about report to the bloody bar?" she asked. "On my way." Michelle said. "I'll keep you posted, Lieutenant. I'll make sure I go visit her as well."

END

Commander Michelle Bartlett
Acting Executive Officer/Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Wellington

Lieutenant Commander Talea Honn
Assistant Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Wellington

Lieutenant Charles Damian
Acting Chief Science Officer
USS Wellington