Not as they seem

Posted on Sat May 29th, 2021 @ 3:27am by Commander Marisa Sandoval & Lieutenant Commander Diane Doctrine & Lieutenant Commander Tony Johnson & Lieutenant Sky Jansen-Carey & Lieutenant Talsi Carey & Rotush Kenear Minister

Mission: The Mentarin Effect
Location: Surface-Shuttle
Timeline: Current

Rotush accompanied the Commanders team to the landing site. He had no idea what was going to happen, with the Klingons being behind the attack, or so it looked. Based on missing information he had felt they were keeping from him. Indicated that there was more to it

Marisa had a lot of questions after her conversation wit Rotush. She was glad the Klingons had arrived, as she wanted them involved in any conversations about the planet. She hoped they'd be willing to help remove the Orion influence.

As their group returned to the compound, Commander Johnson couldn't help but notice that Chesire seemed somewhat agitated. He was determined to believe that the Klingons were behind this all. But when Tony had mentioned this was not how Klingons typically handle things. It seemed to bother Chesire quite a bit. It could just be arrogance on the Detectives part, but it appeared to be more like frustration.

"Commander, why don't you go brief the Commander our finding of the Klingons being part of this." Tal suggested to both Johnson and Doctrine. "I will keep Chesire at bay."

"Commander Sandoval, a moment please?" Diane and Marisa walked a few meters away from the rest of the crowd mainly so Rotush wouldn't hear. "We found a dead Orion male with a sniper rifle on a roof with the proper vantage point according to our forensic analysis. I stowed the rifle in the shuttle so we can check on the ballistics to be sure. I'm pretty sure at this point the Orion is our shooter. He had his throat slit shortly after the shooting. It was done in a way to make it look like Klingons killed him but that's not the way Klingons do things. It looks more like another Orion killed our would be assassin. I'm almost certain there's another party in play here besides us, the Klingons, and the Mentarins."

"No. It's not the way most Klingons would kill." Marisa shook her head. "And why kill hte assassin and leave the body behind? It doens't feel right. Who found the body?"

“We found it on the roof,” Diane replied, “And now that you mention it, that adds credence to the fact this whole thing was done rather amauturishly. If I had to guess, our Orion was killed by another Orion or even a Mentarin.”

"Wouldn't an Orion know how a Klingon fights?" Marisa asked. "It was either a Klingon who was trying to hide his identity, or someone who does not know Klingons well. Any idea what type of blade was used?"

"A D'ktagh was the weapon used," Johnson answered.

Sky meanwhile was silently observing Cheshire, there was something most definitely off about him but she couldn’t just come out and say it. At least not right now, for now she would simply keep an eye on him.

"People who do not know Klingons well can not imitate them convincingly to the untrained investigator," Diane answered, "Had a Klingon actually killed that Orion on the roof we might have found some Klingon DNA at the site. My tricorder picked up none, only Orion DNA."

"The victim's or another Orions?" If it was different, it might help them identify the killer if they could find him--or her.

"That has yet to be determined," Diane replied, "but a quick trip to a science or medical lab and we'll be able to find out."

"The killer of the assassin wanted to get the job done quick without risking their own life," Tony brought up. "Which means that the assassin is more than just a shooter. We need to identify him, which might lead to known associates."

Marisa wished she'd brought her science tricorder, but then, she didn't think she'd need it to have a talk with the Minister. "Too soon to tell. We need all the data we can get, including samples. If we can, we should take the body back to the ship for an autopsy." She looked at the other two. "Good work. Is there anything else I need to know?"

Diane gave a small shrug, "Not until we find something else out."

Tal walked up, after leaving Rick Jones with Chesire, and looked to the group. "Something is off about the detective, he's fidgety, looking over his shoulder, I kind of expect something to happen. Commander Johnson you have been at this more than I have, what do you read?" It was a question to the security chief, but anyone could answer. "If anyone is working with the Orions, and they are here now. It could be placing the everyone in peril if we leave them on the surface. The minister spilled the beans... I think the saying goes. Its not going to over well."

"I've noticed his strange behavior as well," Johnson agreed. "Everything was cool with him until we questioned his theory about the Klingons being behind the death of the shooter. I recommend making an effort to not include him on everything that find out."

"His behavior makes me wonder if he's involved in this in someway," Marisa said. "Would it be better to keep a close eye on him until we can learn more?" The counselor might be able to give a second opinion based on the man's behavior.

"Perhaps everyone accompany us up?" Tal replied. "I will accompany Chesire as well as the Counsellor through a tour of the ship."

Sky had kept silent until now, but walking over to the others she kept her voice low. “There’s definitely something off with Cheshire, that much I can feel.”

Diane listened to her new comrades and liked what she heard. It was good to be assigned to a ship with people who were good at their jobs. "It shouldn't be a surprise if the Orions are employing someone here to keep them up to date on what's going on between the Mentarins, the Klingons, and the Federation. I would recommend caution and a close eye on any Mentarin citizen that goes back to the ship with us."

"I agree. I think a tour of parts of the ship would be efficacious if the two of you accompany him and note how he reacts," Marisa said to Tal and Sky. "What is the old saying, give him enough rope to hang himself."

To Diane, Marisa said. "Agreed. I'll let you handle the details."

"Agreed Commander."

Marisa nodded. "Let's get everyone up to the ship and see what the Captain has to say."