A Visit To A Jailed Bun-Bun

Posted on Sun Oct 22nd, 2017 @ 10:10pm by Staff Sergeant Nyx'e'Trixe Valentine & Lieutenant Valeria Mordin

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/3
Location: Brig
Timeline: June 17, 2399 @ 1230

Nyx stopped and took a breath as she stood in front of the doors to the brig. It was half an hour since her conversation with Lo'Mah and she was well and truly troubled. If her boss had killed, murdered most likely, the chief engineer and a flight control officer, then what else had he done? Had he been involved in the muder of the other senior staff? The sabotages? One thing was for sure, he had been involved with the arrest of Valeria Mordin. She settled her swords and guns and walked through the doors, "Petty Officer, leave me with the prisoner." She commanded, no give in her voice, "I will be safe enough." The enlisted man took a look in her face and all but fled, locking down his console before he did so.

That done, Nyx walked over to the cell where the Ts'usugi was and presented herself, "Milady Valeria, might I have a word with thee?"

Valeria was kneeling on the floor in her cell, one of the cells reserved for those prisoners that put up a bit more resistance than normal. It looked silly to see her in such serious confinements, but the charges against her were more than serious enough to warrant it.

"You may." the rabbitess said, looking up at Nyx with eyes that reflected nothing. No light, no gleam or reflection of image. Nothing was given back. Just pools of blue that went on forever. "Though I cannot guarantee they will be what you want to hear."

"I understand that, Milady." Nyx admitted, smoothly kneeling next to the cell herself, hands placed just above her knees, "But I come to you, troubled, with an apology on my tongue. I believe I have made a grievous error, one that might cost many more lives than those already lost."

"I'm hardly religious enough for a confession, but I was granted two ears for a reason." the rabbitess said, her ears slowly perked up to their full length. "Tell me what happened."

"Lord Major Lo'Mah confessed to me a few minutes ago that he just killed Commander Meru and Ensign Copeland. He stated they attacked him, but that makes no sense." Her eyes were cast to the floor in front of Valeria, "And if he was capable of the murder of two innocents, what else? I believe that even your arrest was wrong. I failed in my duties, my honor."

"Your duty is to perform as expected. To that, you've done no disservice." she started, though at the admission that someone killed two other people on board, Valeria's eyes widened slightly, and now she took full interest in the conversation. "As for what else, it's troubling to think of what a being is capable of. If my arrest is in error, then it will be sorted out, and the truth will come to light. Though, why tell me of his confession, as opposed to a commander or a shipmast- I mean, captain?"

"Has internal security been contacted?"

"I am uncertain, Milady. The reason I have come to you is twofold. First, I owe you an apology for what happened to you. Second, you, as I am, are originally from this sector of space. Yes, Starfleet Academy taight me many of the ethics of the Federation, however six years is hardly enough for a war priestess of Tial to be certain of the right actions to take in a situation like this. The only other person I know I can trust seems to have the same thoughts as myself to eliminate the known threats, but I am certain there is another path, isn't there?" The Tialan's face was confused, almost desperate. If it had been a battle, she wouldn't hesitate in her decisions, but this was different.

"You owe me no apology until the truth is revealed." she absolved the poor Tialan. "As for the right action, it's hardly ever so black and white." she said, getting a touch philosophical. "There's always another path. One of the greatest warchiefs of our history taught that the key to victory is to hide all paths you don't want your enemy to see."

Nyx remained silent for a full minute, reflecting on the words, "I should remain where I am." She pronounced, "Until my honor is violated, I am more valuable within the walls of the enemy, in the shadow."

"Someone within the walls of the enemy. That sounds like another teaching of war, on the subject of spies. In order to use them, one must know fact from falsehood, and be able to discriminate between honesty and double-dealing." Valeria recited, "Know when you're being lied to, Nyx."

"Though, certainly you don't mean that there's an enemy within the very walls of the Wellington?"

"I do, Milady." Nyx raised her eyes, "Though I don't precisely know who or how many. I believe the Lord Major is one of them, but I can't prove it beyond his words."

Valeria shook her head, not in disbelief but more in shocked amusement. "My advice? Make sure someone else knows your suspicions. If you're the only one that knows, and something happens to you, then your thoughts die with you." she paused, "Not saying you'll die, but the metaphor holds."

"Lady Commander Mo'Bri has suspicions, but I will commune with her immediately." She thought for another moment, "And I may attempt to contact a couple others, Milady." She bowed deeply from her knees, "Thank you Milady Valeria. Is there anything I might get for you?"

"You are quite welcome. And.... A book." she requested, as though having given it plenty of thought already. "Traditional paperback will suffice. I don't imagine they'll give me any electronic devices while I'm here, and I imagine that despite feelings and suspicions, I'll be held here for a while."

"Is there any type of book in particular, Milady?" Nyx asked, "I could locate one in your language, or Federation Standard. I have my Tel'Assi, but I'm not sure you would wish to read the Tialan holy book. Besides," She added apologetically, "It's in Tialan."

"The only books written in Ts'usu are in my quarters. Federation Standard isn't terrible, though their sense of punctuation is appalling. Surprise me." she left her literary fate in Nyx's hands, "But, if you are to go to my quarters for any reason, please be mindful of the covered flowers in the terrarium. Bright light will disturb them."

"I will make sure to be very careful, and you shall have a few books within the hour, Milady Valeria." Nyx prokised her, "On my honor."

Valeria gave a nod in response. Odd that a conversation with, essentially, her jailor would go so smooth. "Thank you."

OFF:

First Lieutenant Nyx Valentine
Apologetic Marine XO
USS Wellington

Lt. JG Valeria Mordin
Jailed Science Bunny
USS Wellington