The One With the First & Second Officer

Posted on Mon Nov 7th, 2022 @ 3:11am by Lieutenant Commander Diane Doctrine & Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels

Mission: Traitor amongst us?
Location: Resolution’s Intel Center, Deck 9
Timeline: Right Before Klingons are questioned.

Ooc: slight back post…

General Richard Stoffels
Commander Antonia Stoffels
LtCmdr Diane Doctrine

==Intelligence Center, Deck 9==

The intelligence center was empty except for those pertinent to the discussion. Screens across one wall showed paused video of all the interviews Diane had conducted with the rescued Commander’s family.

“General, Commander, thank you for coming.” Diane handed a PADD to General Stoffels. She was in all business mode wearing her black intel uniform. “Here is everything we were able to find out about what happened to Nick, Tasin, Melor, and Drew. We have not questioned the Klingons yet, but they are next. It appears your family has some sort of blood feud with a Klingon house?”

Richard sighed. "Yes not as long as the London family has but when I befriended him I got drawn into it." He then went quiet while he and Tony read the report.

Tony could not help but wipe away some tears when she read what Nick had gone through. "Uncle Wain is going to kill Tasin if he finds out." She said.

The general nodded. "I know. I felt the same at first but you know how Nick can be when he really wants something, and he is a good actor. I might have done the same in his position. Hmmm this is getting very personal again..." He looked up at Diane. "Do you think the Londons are in danger?"

Diane’s eyebrows furrowed with confusion, “Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. You, the Londons, the Stoffels, and anyone else related to them. As I understand it, this all started when some Klingons aided a Starfleet vessel in distress. Tell me, have you ever considered enlisting the aid of the Diplomatic Corps? This type of conflict resolution is their specialty.” Clearly she thought some poorly thought out decisions long ago caused this current mess.

"That was decades ago, before I even knew Owain. It built up over time and yes of course we have tried everything. We are not stupid. Wain London has just had a heartattack and is extremely vulnerable at this point."

“I do apologize General, but if this happened decades and it’s still going on, I’m finding it hard to believe everything has been tried.” She started pacing around the room as she did when explaining things, “Ever since Praxis blew up the High Council has struggled. There is a fragile balance between those that would accept Federation aid and those that do not. The High Council likes that so they can sway their military the way they want whenever they want to suit their needs. Klingon Houses that upset that tenuous balance are typically not tolerated as long as you say this feud has been going on. None of this should be news to you.” Diane stopped her pacing and looked right at General Stoffels, “So, I have to ask, what’s really going on?”

"They are very sneaky about it. Outwardly they fall into line. But over the years with deaths on both sides it has become a vendetta. Wain served as liaison to the Empire when he was younger. I know he was involved in stuff then that did not make matters better and it was then that he cemented his friendship with Tasin Pallara. We have tried to stop it, you have to believe me. When the London's lost their two year old daughter it nearly destroyed them. This is not something we want." Richard could not hide his emotions any longer.

Diane resumed her pacing, "I need more information to act accordingly. There has to be some other dirt to dig up on House Sabeiesh. If we can find that dirt and find a way to present to the High Council without making it look like revenge..." she stopped pacing once more, "...perhaps we can get them discredited." Her mouth twisted as she thought of possibilities.

"Wain knows more than I do. but I don't know if he is in any condition to give it right now. He just had open heart surgery."

Diane’s eyebrows rose in surprise. Open heart? she thought. How barbaric! She thought faulty organs were just replaced in this day and age. That wasn’t the issue and she decided it be best to not digress. “Is there any estimate on when we might cleared to have visitors?”

"I don't know. He is in the middle of nowhere on a ship and they did not have the full facilities. So I do worry for his safety. My brother in law would know, he is a surgeon. There were complications he seems to be allergic to some of the materials used in fixing a heart and his vessels are very weak due to a shuttle accident so the man is not in the best of health. Yet I am sure if he knew what is going on he would want to talk to us as soon as possible. Commander Wagnor may know more. He is close to Wain."

This conversation was not being as helpful as Diane hoped. She kept her body language and facial expression neutral. “Do you know what ship he is on?” She asked calmly.

"The Kumari. Denise and he were visiting their daughter there." Richard replied.

“Contact them,” Diane suggested waving her hand at a console, “I can make sure the channel is secure.”

"Alright." Richard said and moved towards the console. It took a few minutes until he was connected to the right console and a tired looking woman who seemed to be in her early fifties appeared on the screen.

"Richard this is a surprise." She said.

"Dennie this is an emergency, can I speak to Wain?"

She hesitated. "Richard, he has been through a lot. Can't it wait?"

Diane ‘ahemed’ lightly and told Richard, “I can arrange safe, quiet, transport to the Resolution if need be… if you think they’ll be safer here… plus, I can vouch for Doctor Milton’s medical care.”

"Thank you." Richard whispered back.

"Denise, I need you to listen very carefully." And he began to tell her the whole story of what had happened the last couple of days. And finished with. "I would really breathe easier if Wain and you came here on Resolution. Besides you could be with Tasin as well."

She took a few seconds to compose herself. "And I promised to take on Nick's treatment. That would work. Oh I hope you knew that Rich."

He nodded. "And I am in your debt, Dennie. Again."

"Alright. Arrange it Rich."

"Already done," Diane whispered as she tapped away at another console, "I'll forward them the security clearance they'll need to present to the people picking them up. They should not tell anyone else."

"Can we bring Kay?" Denise asked. "If the danger is high I don't want to leave her on her own here."

"Their adult marine daughter." Richard explained to Diane.

Diane shrugged, “Not a problem. If she’s in danger, best to bring her. If the need arises, I know several safe locations they can be sent to as well.”

"I would like to have some of my kids close at least right now." Denise said. "Thank you, commander. I guess your CMO should talk to the Kumari's CMO to see if Wain is up to the journey though."

Diane shook her head, “No,” she said flatly, “There should be no more direct communication between these two locations. Get any medical information our CMO needs on a PADD and bring that with you. Understand?”

Denise swallowed visibly understanding how tough this was. "I do. I have a medical degree so I should be able to be some help."

“Wonderful,” Diane was relieved that she understood and allowed the ends of her mouth to turn up a bit. She inwardly rolled her eyes wondering just exactly situation she’d taken a nose dive into. She looked at Commander Stoffels, “An old friend of mine is picking them up. He’s the CO of a Vesta Class, one Starfleet’s faster ships. I can say no more at this point.”

"Thank you." Tony said. She had let her father done most of the talking and she was still so stunning at all that was going on and how fast it was moving.

“You’re welcome,” Diane replied, “If you have a moment, Commander, I’d like a word with you alone,” she cast a quick glance at General Stoffels in an attempt to give him a hint that he could leave now.

Richard managed not to smile at the too obvious little hint. "I will be with your mother." Richard told his daughter and left.

"What a effing mess." Tony said after her father had left.

Diane said nothing for the time being but walked around the table to stand next to the Commander, “Who is Moxley to you?” She asked quietly.

"He is my grandfather Diane."

Diane half sat on the systems display table with her left leg and folded her arms across her chest. She examined Antonia’s expression carefully. “If your grandfather attempted to issue you orders, would you follow them?”

"He was not in my chain of command as a marine." Tony said simply. "So that never happened and he is retired now so he can't give me orders. About what you are really asking. It would depend. It would have to be a legal order if not I would refuse. Same goes for my own father or mother or Uncle Wain. Dad and uncle Wain drummed the issue of legal orders into us from a very young age."

"I see," Diane had gotten the answer she expected and the first officer's body language confirmed her suspicions but she had to ask the question to be sure. She got off the table and walked toward the door to her private office, "Follow me please."

Once the two women were inside the door hissed closed. Diane touched a control on her desk and the lights dimmed. "Computer, I solemnly swear I am up to no good." A holographic display surrounded them. It looked like one of those bulletin boards seen in old detective videos. There were pictures of people and different colored lines connected them with other icons. There were icons of folders, starships, and planets interspersed with the faces from the Stoffel and Sorrel family tree, some Klingons and a few other Starfleet personnel. Diane sighed as she watched Antonia look around at the display. "As you can see, I've been... a bit busy."

Tony whistled. "Wow I really appreciate you doing all this to help us, Diane. It's amazing."

"I have to say, I don't usually get involved in private disputes," she began, "but this one is starting to affect larger things... like just how friendly Klingon and Federation forces are going to be to each other. Someone needs to solve this mess. The last thing we need is two front war or worse, if rumors are true, the Klingons joining the Dominion. This situation is not tenable."

"There is nothing private about it from our side." Tony huffed a little. "My father and admiral London followed orders. They have tried to finish this many times. And house Pallara is an important voice for peace with the Federation."

“But House Sabiesh is not,” Diane countered evenly. “They are the ones keeping any lasting resolution from happening. What do you know about them?” Antonia, she realized, had not been questioned on the subject yet.

She shrugged. "To fear them. I have been afraid for attempts on my life for as long as I can remember. When we were four they bombed our houses at the starbase, a planet, both our families were stationed at." She hated talking about this. "Joanna, the London's two year old daughter was killed. Kay and I spent months in hospitals an rehab, that is when we became best friends. It almost destroyed my uncle Wain and aunt Denise. And then not three months later in a raid my uncle Gilbert was killed when a small group of marines under his command were ambushed and slaughtered. Over the years there have been other attempts, I always look over my shoulder and I don't trust easily." Not something she would mention in therapy but Diane needed to know.

“And that’s a good thing with all that’s going on. I hate to say it but there it is.” Diane folded her arms across her chest and began pacing around the perimeter of her office. “I get that Klingon ‘eye for an eye’ revenge thing… but what I haven’t been able to figure out yet… and this is really bugging me… is why this house keeps this up, I need to know more of the history. There has to be clues somewhere.”

"I don't know, Diane. It's the older generation that has more details. And I do want this to stop to be finally over and to feel safe."

"Well, Tony, I'd like you to feel safe as well," Diane meant what she said, "The sooner we can get to the bottom of this, the better. Perhaps there's someone of the older generation we can talk to? Someone with an unbiased opinion on the matter? Can you think of anyone?"

"Wain is really the obvious choice, he was there from the beginning. And on the Klingon side Tasin Pallara knows more than anyone. I don't know how much my mum knows and you have already talked to my dad. But none of these opinions will be unbiased."

"Well then we'll have to wait until Wain gets here and Tasin heals up enough to talk again," Diane replied somberly.

Tony nodded. "Do you want my parents to stay on board as well?"

Diane’s eyes widened for a second. “Might not be a bad idea for their protection. It should be done as quietly as possible. I can arrange that if need be.”

She sighed. "I guessed you would say that. Here is me choosing to become a navy officer to get away from my family's influence. Life sure is sarcastic sometimes."

Diane could not help but chuckle a little. She shrugged, “Sorry? On the other hand, ‘navy’ refers to vessels that float on water, we’re Starfleet”

"Not in my family." Tony laughed. "We are referred to as navy and sailors. And 'those people who get us to and from the jobs we need to do'."

Diane rolled her eyes, “You know history right? Marines started out as part of the navy. We’re all one organization no matter what your family says.”

"I know. And trust me my dad is not the worst. He will always cooperate with and respect us. It is more the Sorrel side of the family who think themselves superior."

“I’ve noticed,” Diane deadpanned folding her arms across her chest again.

"I thought you had not met my mum yet."

Diane waved at her holographic bulletin board, “I’ve read plenty. I, for one, don’t appreciate being called ‘navy’. I don’t know why it irks me so, perhaps it’s because we’re all suppose to be one organization working towards a common goal. I get a little interdepartmental rivalry, but some of your family take it to the extreme and that’s not necessarily good for morale.”

Tony was surprised. "I don't think my mum is extreme. You should see and hear some other marines talk about us. But if you have a problem I think meeting her and having a chat is not a bad idea."

“I don’t have a problem with your mother,” Diane commented, “but if the Marines and the rest of Starfleet are to work as a cohesive unit, then we have to learn to work together with minimal dissension in the ranks.”

"I am with you there. I have always found the difference silly and disruptive."

Diane’s arms extended out toward Tony, “There, you see? You get what I’m trying say.”

"Yep and you are right. But it's been going on for centuries so it is not something that will be easy to get rid of."

Diane tried, and managed to not roll her eyes at Tony, “You are, sadly, correct.”

"You already did something amazing with my dad though. I have never seen him this polite to an Intel officer."

A perturbed expression briefly flashed across the blonde's face. "Well, he doesn't know that many professional intelligence officers. It's the unprofessional ones that cause the distrust and ruin the reputation of everyone else in the field. It's unfortunate, but it happens. I'm, sadly, used to it now. Too many people get into Starfleet Intelligence for the wrong reasons. They think playing spy is glamorous, action packed, and a quick way to make a name for themselves." She shook her head, "That's the furthest thing from the truth."

"There are bad apples everywhere and you are helping to make it better." Tony said firmly. "That's the most important thing."

The corners of Diane’s mouth turned up a couple of degrees, “Thank you. I just wish more people could see it that way.”

"You can be very proud of the convert you have made." Tony said with a grin. "I did not think I would see the day with my dad. I hope you can get some answers out of the prisoners. I can't be there but let me know when you finish okay?"

"I'll share whatever I find out with you," Diane affirmed.

OFF