The Story
Posted on Sat Dec 4th, 2021 @ 9:39pm by Lieutenant Commander Patricia Montgomery M.D. & President Gruzy of New Xindus
1,020 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission: Short Treks
OOC: I decided to do the backstory here.
If there was one thing that Vice Admiral Yotya Ayr of Starfleet Internal Affairs hated it was when Starfleet policy was deviated from and here he was committing this cardinal sin himself by being late. As the galaxy reeled from the assassination of the Romulan Praetor and the accusation that a Starfleet Admiral had been behind it, the President himself had contacted him and ordered a meeting. When the Bajoran Admiral had arrived he'd assumed they were going to ask his opinions on what had happened with Admiral Coulson that could have led to his attack on the Praetor, instead something else had come of it.
"My apologies, Counselor Montgomery, I was detained in a high level briefing," the Bajoran explained as he extracted a Portable Computer Terminal from his bag. Tapping the control on the outer edge a holographic monitor appeared and was supplemented by a holographic keyboard that floated just below it. While the side closest to him was transparent, the Counselor could only see an opaque block.
"Have you been briefed on why I wished to speak with you?"
Patricia turned from where she'd been watching the comings and goes of Starfleet personnel outside. She'd studied their body language, from the carefree cadets laughing to the playful lovers just holding hands. The higher uppers with the flustered yeomans following in their wakes.
It felt good to be back here, to feel the fit of a uniform on her body and the cold weight of the pips against her neck. It had been too long.
"It's been awhile Admiral. Is it too much to hope that your just wanting to catch up with an old colleague?" The Commander smiled easily as she turned, taking in her colleague. "The weight of the universe still on your shoulders too I see."
"Quite," he answered realizing that she was not up to date on why she was here. The Bajoran turned the computer toward his guest, "I have selected you for a high ranking mission within Starfleet. How familiar are you with Admiral Targaryen and Starfleet One?"
"Ive heard some of the gossip of course. Targaryen betrayed the federation and Starfleet One helped him to do so." Patrica approached the table as she pulled the computer a little closer. "But I learned a long time ago that three truths exist in every situation and I've yet to hear either one to be really able to judge."
"You are part right," the Bajoran answered succinctly. "Over the past few months we have learned a great deal about the Admiral and his involvement in less than stellar services to the Federation. Sealed documents from the former President were leaked, implicating that President Enaren had exonerated him for his crimes while in Section 31 and his deliberate interference in the development of other governments. While serving as our envoy to the Klingons he executed the Chancellor in a Klingon ritual, he took his own initiative while negotiating with the Dominion, then there is the latest debacle with the Romulans and his potential involvement in the death of their Praetor. It boggles the mind."
He paused, "President Gruzy has directly petitioned us to monitor Starfleet One and investigate its Senior Staff. He has skipped the normal channels due to the Admiral's wife being the Commander of Starfleet, so I am reporting directly to him in this investigation. Thus, I have selected you to join the staff of Starfleet One to investigate their actions."
Patricias eyes had never left the terminal as she listened to the words bejng spoken, it helped to somewhat hide the shock of the proposition that had just been placed to her. "I cant imagine it will be easy Admiral. Is the crew aware of the depths of Targaryen's deceit? It seems to span some timeframe."
"The Admiral's crew is incredibly loyal," the Bajoran answered. "Moreso than they probably should be. Even more complicated is that the former President had authorized a pardon for many of his crimes."
"He...what..." Patricia looked up at this point, bewilderment in her eyes. "I mean beyond medical law my knowledge is next to none but surely somebody cannot enact a pardon upon himself? How is such a situation even overlooked?"
"President Enaren gave him a blanket pardon for his crimes past, present, and future shortly before her death on the Vulcanis Lunar Colony three years ago," the Admiral answered. "Regardless, President Gruzy is a bit more pragmatic about things that have been going on. The fact that Admiral Targaryen commands the Federation Flagship is troubling, they do not want to see the legacy tarnished. So, the President would like us to monitor the ship and report on what is going on. I have selected you to be our representative there, undercover of course."
" Ah..." Patricia flushed a little at her mistake before taking a slow and deep breath." Its hard enough at times to get people to trust a counsellor, I'm not sure how you think Ill be able to help."
The Bajoran did not sugar coat it, "Find a way."
Patricia blinked at the response, sitting back into her chair as she felt the breath catch in her chest. She'd known that Starfleet wasn't going to go easy on her after what came before, but this... This she hadnt expected. "I'm guessing that there's no point in asking what happens if I fail?"
"The President would probably not take too kindly to it," the Admiral answered.
Patricia felt sick to her stomach, slowly letting out a breath before she managed to find her voice again. "Ok. So. Ah... When do I leave?"
The Admiral pushed an isolinear chip forward to the Counselor, "Now."
Hesitating again, Patricia swallowed before taking the chip. Understanding she had been dismissed, she just nodded her head before moving to exit the room.
She was getting what she wanted, a chance to return to Starfleet and made amends but this... This was a whole different kettle of fish and she wasnt sure if she could promise herself not to fail again.
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