Richard

Posted on Tue Nov 29th, 2022 @ 5:29am by Captain Xavier Carey & Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels

Mission: Traitor amongst us?
Location: Empty quarters
Timeline: Current

Richard was on one of the observation decks sipping from his hot strong coffee. He had just spent some time in the gym but he had grown weary of it. By now most people knew who he was and he could see that it made people uncomfortable to have a general in their midst. Even though he kept saying he was off duty.

It was hard being here and not being able to do anything. Now being told they had to stay on the ship in some kind of protective custody really did not sit well with him.

Xavier walked up to the observation deck, this was not a visit he wanted, but he had to tell the guy. This would make things complicated. Walking up to the man he took a deep breath, "General, may I have a word."

Richard tore his eyes away from the universe and looked at the captain. "Of course."

"Lets find some empty quarters. Its best you have a seat." He gestured for him to follow.

"You know it is never good when a commanding officer says that." Richard could feel his heartrate pick up.

"There has been several assassination attempts on your family, as well as the sorrel family. Two have succeded, Marguerite Sorrel, and one of her grand daughters have been killed in a bomb blast." Xavier replied walking into quarters. "Garrisorn thorne called just an hour ago. Sky is telling Tony, Ren is informing the boys. They have everyone else in protection, however... I doubt this is the end. It is thought that this is in retaliation for the rescue of the teams on the planet."

"Thorne is dependable." He closed his eyes. "Dear god. Aleck and Tony... I must go and be with them. They will be devastated. I need to get back to earth."

"Pete and his husband went to talk to Moxley about things, another bomb went off there, all of whom are in critical condition in starfleet medical." He paused letting it sink in. "Petes other daughter is also in critical condition." He thought about the rest. "Frank is safe off world, and Llewellyn is placed in protection at the academy."

"Oh dear god, they are toddlers. My god, I need to get on top of this. I will leave for earth today."

"You are to remain here, they are keeping them safe, my job is to keep you safe. Other family members are coming here, from the Kumari. They will be here shortly."

Richard blinked. "I am a four star general, captain Carey. Do you really expect me to sit here and do nothing while family and friends get slaughtered?"

"Right now the four stars mean nothing, you are remaining here until your family are safe... we will go after them once we find enough intel to do so."

His temper flared as it did not often do. "You think you can stop me if I want to leave?"

"I know your daughter can, and your wife. I know Soran will do everything in his power. I also now have a contingent of 400 marines onboard. Want to try me."

"My wife is a force of nature. It's her parents and brother we are talking about. You are not going to be able to stop, Aleck. And that is insubordination to a superior officer captain."

"I can have you transported to the brig, but whatever you choose you willbe remaining on ship."

"You have guts." The general said finally. "And you are probably right." He sighed. "I can't be objective right now. But hell..." He was actually lost for words.

"I cannot say I understand what you are going through, but we will be here for you. And we will also get to the bottom of it."

"Can you give me at least something to do?" The general asked. "I will go crazy if I can't. Make me a gym instructor or whatever." It was only half a joke.

"Be there for your family... they will need you. Thats what you can do, and when you are ready, We will get to the root of the problem."

Richard nodded. "It may not be easy to stop my wife and daughter. I can warn you about that."

"She disobeys my order, I will if I have to relieve her of command, and assign her a brig. If it keeps them safe... I will do what I need to."

He nodded. "You may have to were it comes to Aleck. You know she disobeyed me by coming out here. My wife has a very hot temper."

"It might have saved her life, as well as yours coming out here." Xavier replied walking over to the replicator. "Your daughter helped me in my time of need years ago, before I left on a deep space assignment. Its the least I can do."

"I guess in a way she did." Richard smiled. "And it seems you have a true bond with Tony. I would ask you to go easy on her, but she does not take kindly to her old man doing her favours when it comes to her career."

"Well, I am not going into details... but someone got a little too close that the other." Xavier replied. "In the end, we both got who we were meant to get."

The general went very still. "Are you implying my daughter came on to you while you were her patient?"

"No, it was the other way around... actually it was me who developped feelings for her... she made her intentions clear, so I headed out on the Deep space assignment. Found my wife... in the end... things that is meant to be... will find its way to be."

He exhaled. "Ah. Yes... I know that can happen. It is an intense bond between therapist and patient. I am glad she helped you and you have found your happiness."

"Happiness yes... Nightmares do continue however... She is forcing me back in therapy once this settles down."

"I would trust her judgement in this, son." Richard said. "Those damned shrinks are usually right when they recommend something like that."

"I believe our success involves her judgement General."

"Good." He heaved a huge sigh. "I guess I had better go see how they are doing. I trust you had others break the news to them?"

"Sky was telling tony, soran the boys."

"And my wife?"

"Sky had to sedate her, she didn't take it so well... I am afraid I will have to remove her from duty for the time being. Whether she likes it or not." Xavier replied. "Commander Doctrine will take her place until shes able to." He looked at the time. "Sky and Soran should be with Aleck right now telling her."

"I am not sure that is best, but I will leave that with you captain. It's your ship. Expect her to fight you on it though. Tony can't sit still and do nothing, just like her mother. Maybe we should join them before my wife damages your crew." Again not completely a joke.

"Well we will see what she does. Its not something i want to do... but its something that may have to be done in order for her to be able to mourn." Xavier replied as he got up. "Sky has a sedative with her. As a precaution."

"Good thinking and Ren knows Aleck he will be able to act before she harms anyone. That Sorrel temper is very hot. I will have my hands full later. But I even understand it. All this loss."

"It would be understandable if it was the enemy... but from allies? Maybe even starfleet as you are suspecting."

"That is frightening. All my sources indicate that they must have inside help. a deep seated mole, maybe even more than one. They could have infiltrated Starfleet years ago and become active now."

"If that is the case... with the war and the klingons as allies. It seems unlikely that the klingons would do such a thing with a foe such as the cardassians in play. Them becoming active right before a cardassian war... it doesn't make sense."

"Remember that house Reshtarc is unwilling to work with anyone not pure Klingon. They are firmly against an alliance with the Federation and would prefer the empire to be isolated again, doing it's own thing without allies. And this was planned decennia before a cardassian war. They are not willing to see the big picture or work for the greater good. They are idiots."

"Idiots they may be... however... we may want to make sure its not an outside thing trying to cause a rift in the two powers."

"Yes we both have to set our intel and security people on it. I want this to stop now, captain. Once and for all."

"Something tells me this is a lot bigger than you think it is." Xavier replied. "Perhaps even more than just the reshtarc."

"I hope not. I really don't. Now I had better see to my wife and kids. Keep them from doing something foolish. Thank you for telling me, captain."

"If you need anything you know where my office is... if im at home... a heads up.. would be in order... my wife is a bit... against clothing in own home."

It made him smile. "That is interesting." Richard said. "I do want to know more about that but later. Now I should get to my wife."

"My condolences again General."

"Thank you captain. Just keep me posted."