Discontent

Posted on Sat May 17th, 2025 @ 3:29pm by Captain Xavier Carey & Lieutenant Commander Melor Pallara (Stoffels) & Lieutenant Commander Ryan Price

Mission: Those who are left behind
Location: Bridge
Timeline: Current

Xavier sat in the centre seat, he had heard both Pallara had talked to Gil Molek, and was on their way up. No information was given, but considering things at the moment, he wasn't surprised. He wanted assurances. That was up for him to decide being Commanding Officer. It ultimately was up to him considering.

Ryan walked out of the turbolift, he looked to the Captain, Ryan made a 'Can we talk?' motion. He waited to see the captains response.

"Sure... Commander Stoffels isn't here at the moment, so please have a seat."

As Ryan sat down "If this turns up a dead end I won't be surprised."

"Sometimes we have to have faith Commander." Xavier replied as he looked over. "What did you get?"

"Not enough, he stalled and demanded concessions including for his protection." he paused "even if he flips we won't be able to trust him fully, I think he needs to sit in a prison cell, somewhere nice and cold."

"He is giving us a lot with any information to try and help us in the war... a few... concessions... including for his own protection... is not unheard of." He paused and checked his screen on the chair. "Lt Element, contact the USS Montgomery, tell them to investigate the coordinates im sending over to you."

"Aye sir." Came the Lts reply.

"Let me guess. Burger and fries... its one of the first things we talked about when we first met as I was held prisoner, when the war finished, he and his family invited me over for dinner. I told him I would return the favor when we would meet again onboard the ship. I was unfortunately unable to keep my end."

Ryan began to assess the situation from this perspective, "even if all of his data is good we need to be cautious incase he's playing both sides or some of his information is out of date."

Melor just stood to the side and made notes for the two officers there was little he had to add.

Xavier watched as Pallara made notes. "Whats your view Commander. Two different officers of the same field, yet two different personalities."

Ryan thought through his words before speaking, "The Federation needs every advantage, but this is becoming tedious if the situation was reversed I'd be looking at some personal guarentees myself but I'd be dangling something of value to prove my worth, he hasn't."

"I am not so sure about that Commander. Offering the Counsel... they have a lot of information we can use." Xavier replied as he turned to Pellara. "Whats your opinion Melor."

"The location of the governing counsel would be a boon for anyone in Starfleet, getting them out would be more than just another medal in the trophy case." Ryan paused "It would be huge."

"I think I would let him prove his worth. Let him think he has won us over completely but keep a very close eye on him." Melor said. 'And get as much use out of him as possible."

Ryan decided to make a counter point "The down side is if we get pulled from here to support another operation we could end up going in the opposite direction from where his information would point us to go."

"Good points. It isn't actually the governing council hes offering but those that were removed from power before the take over, they do hold information still. Even if slightly out of date." Xavier paused, "I will discuss this with the few people that know of our history. Mainly Commander Stoffels." He did not really want to go down that road. Though she was the one that pulled him out of a dark place right after it happened. Pausing, "Don't confirm with him yet, inform molek that we are leaning to accepting his request. But in order for me to make the request go in his favor, I require some... appetizer of information that he has to offer."

Ryan weighed the information, "I offered him a cosey spot on a resort town on the Baja Peninsula while he went through a debriefing, it's where we stashed Jorlan Dron when we got him out just before the Klingons invaded." Ryan said

"By the sounds of it, he wants on this ship. Do I trust him. Not entirely. Something tells me he is leaving something big out of the equation."

Ryan's shoulders sunk "He is...The question is how much."

"For what its worth... I believe hes genuinely wanting to help. Just something seems off. Has he said anything while you were talking, that seemed out of the ordinary."

"He keeps referencing neutral worlds he'd like to go to, most wouldn't exactly accept him willingly, hell he'd be better off in one of the VIP compounds intel keeps on earth." Ryan paused "I don't know what else to do."

"Could be hes referencing next attacks... rather than a place he would actually want to visit."

"I'll put a call into T'lar on the Omaha see if something lines up, she owes me a favour." Ryan said hoping there wouldn't be any questions.

Nodding, "You do that Commander. Ive got a few calls to make of my own."

"Do any of you have any orders for me?" Melor asked.

"Look into your contacts, see what they have to say. Any of the information we already know about the council, find out where they go, anything that may point to a direction to go in, if Molek doesn't decide to help us."

"Yes sir. I will be right on it." He hesitated and looked at both men. "Something else sir, with commander Price coming on board I would like to return to my original posting if that is ok with you both?"

"Oh? Whats wrong?" Xavier replied with a slight surprise.

"Well I was on loan and I got the impression that I was not needed here anymore." He again looked at both officers.

"What one can do, two can do better. Each of you are experts in different areas in the same field. I would rather having both."

Melor looked at Price to see what the other man thought.

Ryan paused his thoughts were elsewhere, "Let's finish this mission first then talk about changes."

The half klingon tried not to show his irritation. His new chief had hardly acknowledged him at all. They hadn't talked and he had the distinct feeling that this was because his allegiance was to people first over Intel.
"Very good, sir." He said.

"Well let's finish this talk right here. Right now, the morenintel I have right now, especially with the war going on, I would sooner have two more more people very well experienced in intelligence. Along with our chief strategic officer, it will make missions and information gathering all that more quicker, and faster to find. As I said two officers two sets of skills in the same field. Commander Melor, Commander price, it seems that both of you will be working closely for the foreseeable future. I suggest you bond over drinks. Share information you each have, regarding this mission... that's an order. Dismissed."