Knowing me, Knowing you.

Posted on Tue Nov 10th, 2026 @ 9:03am by Lieutenant JG Callie Stone (S.Carey) & General Richard Stoffels (Stoffels)

Mission: The Next Watch
Location: Office

Callie had been warned about the Stoffels family not liking, or trusting Intel officers but she wasn’t going to let that stop her from trying to gain approval. Sending a message to General Stoffels requesting a meeting she could only hope he’d give her a chance to prove herself.

It was not much later that she got a message back asking if she could be available for an online meeting with the general in two hours ship's time from his secretary.

Two hours was fair enough so Callie was only too happy to accept the offer of the meeting. Now she just had to hope she could make a good impression.

Two hours later a face appeared on her screen. A man seemingly in his early sixties with pepper and salt blond grey hair millimetered in old marine style but with a not so regulation moustache wearing the uniform of a Starfleet full general.

"Lieutenant Stone." He greeted her in English spoken with a faint accent.

“General Stoffels, thank you for agreeing to speak with me.” Callie offered a polite yet respectful smile. “I wanted to…” she paused. “I’m hoping to earn some trust Sir. I’m assigned to the Resolution working alongside your family.”

"I had a deal with captain Carey that he would not take on Intel personnel that were not first vetted by me. I don't have that deal with the current captain." His eyes narrowed slightly. "Have you been told why I don't trust Intel officers lightly?"

“Not really Sir” Callie shook her head. “Captain Stoffels didn’t seem to have a problem with my being here when I met her, and my immediate superior Commander Pallara doesn’t seem to have an issue.”

His eyes narrowed a little but that was the only thing that told her he was annoyed. "I have no say over captain Stoffels but Melor works for me." He pauzed. "Before I tell you the whole story a few questions if you don't mind. Do you believe there is such a thing as an illegal order from a superior?"

“To be completely honest it would depend on the situation at the time, and the order given. If I thought it was wrong I would bring it up.” Callie answered honestly.

He nodded. "I believe there are corrupt elements within Starfleet Intelligence, maybe other branches as well. They are deeply hidden in the structure, some have been sleepers for decades but once activated they can do a great deal of harm. Have done a great deal of harm to my family in the past. They know I am an enemy who will not sleep until I have destroyed them. That is why they will try to destroy me first, or destroy me through my loved ones. It is the reason I don't trust easy and do not want unvetted people around my family."

Callie nodded. “You can vet me all you like General, I have nothing to hide. I come from a good family background, I’m an Archaeologist and Anthropologist as well as an Infiltration Officer. I’m a Betazoid, and I put my senses to good use in the field. I’m not averse to learning the truth, and if I was to come across anything suspicious I’d report it.”

"And if you found out something that implicated Intel would you have problems coming to Melor or me directly?"

Callie paused she was certainly being thoroughly grilled. “If I thought it was something I should bring to your attention Sir, yes.”

"Good. You will understand that I won't trust you instantly but I will give you the benefit of the doubt and Melor will be keeping an eye on you. I won't lie about that."

“That’s fair enough General, you don’t know me and I don’t know you. I’d prefer for you to come to trust me for who I am, and what I do. Commander Melor and I will be working closely together and I wouldn’t expect him not to keep an eye on me. I won’t go out of my way to earn approval, but I will do my job to the best of my ability.”

"I like that. And once your current mission is over I look forward to meeting you. At least you have the right attitude." For the first time he showed a tiny smile which lit up his face.

Callie smiled seeing that. “Does that mean I’ve earned some trust? I certainly hope I have as it will save you worrying about my presence around your family.”

"Just a tiny bit, young lady. My full trust takes a lot longer to gain. And uhm you might want to not mention this conversation to your captain."

“I’ll earn that trust, I promise you that” Callie smiled warmly. “Is there a reason why I shouldn’t mention it to Captain Stoffels.”

"Because I really don't want to get yelled at for ten minutes after you tell her. I get that enough from her mother."

Callie couldn’t help but grin. “Ahh I see, well in that case I won’t say a word.”

"Thank you. If you keep your word, that will gain you an extra little bit of trust." He smiled again.

“I will keep my word General, that’s a promise” Callie offered a smile in return. “If there’s ever anything you need, or require just let me know. I have a few contacts who owe me a favour, so I could come in useful.”

That almost made him laugh. "Thank you so much, but I think I am good where it comes to contacts." He was a sector marine general after all. But it did endear him to her that she offered.

“Well I thought I’d offer Sir” Callie grinned. “Is there anything else you’d like to ask?”

"No that will do for now."

Callie nodded. “In that case it’s been nice meeting you Sir.”