interview with Price

Posted on Wed Nov 5th, 2025 @ 1:17am by Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels & Lieutenant Commander Ryan Price

Mission: Those who are left behind

Felix was sitting in his temporary office thinking on how best to approach the intelligence officer. In the end he decided just to send a message and hope that he would respond positively.

¬ Lt commander price, my name is commander Felix Voss, I have been assigned by starfleet medical to do an assessment of you and the first officer. I would like to get done with this as soon as possible so everybody can get on with their lives. If you could make an appointment as possible I would be grateful. If you like you are free to bring somebody that you trust to come with you. I have been given clearance by starfleet medical to view your records.¬

After a short message that he could come over now Felix wanted over to Price's office. He did not mind doing the interview where the other officer felt most comfortable.

Ryan just let out a none too subtle groan, and pointed to a chair opposite too his desk.

"Thank you." Felix said and sat down. "And I am grateful you made time straight away. I take it you are aware of the reasons for this interview?"

Ryan looked the visitor square in the eyes, "The allegations against the first officers father, her unwillingness to cooperate, the alleged bad experience with intelligence which has been repeatedly denied by Starfleet, her declining mental state and questionable judgement when in comes to cooperating with an investigation that could have easily ended with a report that buried the whole matter and kept civilian security from making more unfounded accusations." Ryan said looking at the man, "Oh and the captain going to a former undercover agent to snoop around in matters that will end his career."

Felix noted a few things about the other man. He seemed extremely passionate about his work, but also very very tired. Like somebody who had seen too much and was valiantly trying to struggle on alone. " you are saying a great deal at once, let's unpack it together.” he replied. “from what I understand you haven't been on board the ship long. Did anything happen between you and the first officer led to this state to not being able to communicate with each other. I have not talked to the commander yet, so far I have talked to the captain and the chief counsellor briefly.

Ryan turned his computer terminal, it showed a transcript of what had been said. "I'll be keeping my own notes."

“Of course.” felix said. “Feel free. But I also want to assure you that I am impartial. My boss went to great lengths to find somebody doesn't know either of you or your families.”

Ryan raised an eyebrow mostly at the humor of anyone knowing anything about him, "My boss is tired of being asked to participate in civilian law enforcement's witch hunt's as am I."

"I can see you are tired." Felix said honestly. "More likely exhausting. Help me end this as soon as possible without people tearing each other down. From both sides."

"Actually I slept great last night." Ryan started "Had a reasonable breakfast, managed to get in some time at the shooting range on the holodeck and even snuck in some time at the gym, meanwhile several of the senior staff are panicked like they have something to hide.

"Do you enjoy that? That they are panicking?" As a therapist he just wanted to figure out what made the man tick and maybe how to reach him.

"No," he said bluntly "At a time where capable officers are needed this bunch has fallen short in a concerning way, also knowing that legally circumstantial evidence that in any other instance would get these allegations tossed out the nearest airlock is now becoming the noose upon which the XO is likely to have wrapped around her neck is unsettling, the JAG officer overseeing the case wants it closed and if it means handing out punishment along the lines of non-cooperation he'll do that, hell half of the allegations against Starfleet are more accurately being laid against officers who've shown loyalties too former Admiral Layton over the general officer core and those are the ones we know of."

"You don't have a very high opinion of this crew." Felix said mildly. "And I gather that you did nothing to help them solve this? Tell me do you usually work on your own or with an intel team but not as part of a ship's crew?"

Ryan knew this was the fishing question so he gave the answer he was told to give "When bad beings do bad things I to things so you can sleep at night."

"Why?" Felix asked simply. "Why not help. It would cost you nothing."

Ryan looked at the visitor, "From the first thirty minutes I was here it's been made clear I'm not welcome, when this investigation is officially closed I'm cashing the golden ticket and getting out of Starfleet." referring too the essentially free pass he'd earned after a very difficult or dangerous assignment. "I've paid the price of doing things for the ungrateful."

" I am sorry to hear that, and I don't condone it. On the other hand you don't look like a man who gives up that easily, and it would be a shame for you to give up your career, I am sure you have a lot to give to the federation. I also think you do need a break now and put yourself first.”

Ryan sat back his chair reclined slightly, "Even if I'm forced to stay until a crew rotation can be done I have an exit, I can live quietly in the shadow of the Three sisters."

“what do you mean? I'm not familiar with the three sisters.” felix inquired.

"The name of three mountain peaks in western North America." Ryan said

“I see. I am from germany myself.” he paused for a little while, thinking. “would that truly make you happy. I mean long term happy?”

"If I was happy with Starfleet I wouldn't be looking to get out, now would I?" Ryan retorted.

“I get that. But I usually advise people to think long and hard before making big life decisions like this, and have some counselling around it. I would really recommend it in your case as well.”

"Skip the dogma, you're starting to sound like one of Admiral Layton's followers." Ryan said flexing his hand.

Felix blinked genuinely surprised. “what is dogma about that? It's experience, I have been doing this work for awhile. And I have seen more than one patient regret a hasty decision to quit starfleet."

Ryan finally had enough in a level tone he began "For over a year now I've seen unqualified captains and command level officers make dangerous and bad decisions that have resulted in millions of deaths and injuries, I will not be a part of it, I now have twenty one days left in Starfleet and I have no regrets, I have no remorse about the people I've had to kill, imprison or subdue to protect the Federation until now, because until now a few good men and women have gotten their hands dirty so you can quote rules and regulations and think your doing the right thing, I've had this very discussion before and it's the same damn answer every....single.......time.." he said thumping his finger on the tabletop, "I'm done, so take your report, file it, burn it, throw it out an airlock, I don't care, twenty one days remain for me."

"and then? What are you going to do with the rest of your life?" Felix asked.

Ryan didn't hesitate, "I'm going to spend some time trying to forget as much of the stuff I've done and then maybe coach youth sports and enjoy the privacy of my families property on earth, not have too look over my shoulder every moment of my day, maybe even try to have a family, either way Ryan Price fades into the background and I don't have to be him anymore."

"That actually doesn't sound like a bad plan." the therapist admitted. "I sincerely hope you can pull it off. Most important is that you find some peace of mind and happiness."

The weight of the situation had finally lifted, he paused the recording he'd been making, "When you've met with the Captain and other senior staff you can inform them that the majority of the charges including the more serious ones were dropped this morning by the Judge advocate general's offices excluding some of the professional misconduct charges which were all lessened to little more than verbal reprimands, my reports did help that." he paused sliding a pad across the desk "The civilian charges against the first officer are going to go away shortly, intel and security are taking care of that but far as career damage Commander Stoffels would be wise to lower her command expectations for now, best case she gets command of an upgraded Intrepid class if she's promoted, but that will likely be a few years now."

"I will inform the captain when I see him next and I have not spoken to commander Stoffels yet so I do not have an opinion on her yet. I will forward my report on you to starfleet together with hers when I am done." He said while closing his PADD. "Anything else you want to add or tell me?"

Ryan stood as he guest readied to leave, "No, I'm good."

"Good, I will leave you then." Felix got to his feet. "Thank you for your time."