Researching Jubb's Past (part 2)
Posted on Mon May 19th, 2014 @ 2:05pm by Captain T'mpest Michaels & Lieutenant JG Rami Miral & Commander Rylie Cattmor & Chief Petty Officer Adriana Keen
1,133 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission: Landreah
[CONTINUED]
[OLD]
Sammi nodded. A moment later, he snorted that the data transfer was complete. T'mpest pulled out the PADD and smiled. "Thank you again." She was about to walk onto the bridge when she received an incoming message. She pushed a button to answer the call, one eyebrow raising in surprise when she saw who it was.
[NEW]
The face of Varik Maas, the rebel leader practically filled the screen, just as before, though his general demeanour conveyed a solemn sense of apologetic guilt also, resigned to the fact of what he may have to do. "Commander Michaels, I would speak with you." he said plainly.
"You are speaking with me," she informed him practically. "I have thirteen minutes, twenty-two seconds to get down to the planet before you and Governor Jubb execute my people." She paused, looking more closely at his face. "Unless you wish to release them?"
"Not now," he curtly replied with a small sigh, "there are other more pressing matters." He shifted out of the way to reveal Lieutenant Rami Miral.
"Commander, there is more going on here than we first believed," Miral said. "Maas and his people are guilty of a number of crimes, but they believe they are doing this for the good of Landreah. They also have information on Jubb that could be of use to you."
T'mpest nodded, not wishing to give away any information with Maas in the room with the Intel officer.
"Your officer has put forward some views, commander," Maas started again, inserting himself into the conversation, "one's which I have already considered for the most part, but she makes your case well. The Federation will not back off will they?" he asked almost rhetorically.
"No. They will not back off and they will not negotiate with kidnappers," T'mpest said, her tone turning cool.
"I thought as much, so I have a counter proposal for you, commander. I still have people within the government, I know that the trial for your away team, at least one of them," he said stealing a look back toward Miral in the background, "is set to be in about fifteen of your minutes. I will release your people if, if, you can bring me to the council chambers for that hearing, to help end this."
"Why?" she asked bluntly.
Varik was relieved, that T'mpest had asked him 'why' and not 'how'. In truth, he didn't really have a good answer for either one, but tried regardless. "Why are you people, the Federation here, commander?" He asked before quickly going on before T'mpest could offer a reply, "Because our people, Jaenero's, my own, even the people caught in between, are tired of fighting, tired of war. If I was to attempt to open up a dialogue with Jaenero, the only response I would get would be gunfire. If I were to walk in there now, I would be shot dead before I got within half a kol of the capitol building." He shifted his stance slightly and took a breath, "As I said, your intelligence officer carries your side well, and while it may seem it at times, I'm not unreasonable, just desperate. Pride got in the way before, I don't want it doing so again, so I ask you, we need your help to end this and quickly. Perhaps we can also assist you with information on your Admiral Jubb. Please assist me."
"The Federation sent us to assist the people of Landreah in their efforts to establish peace. Nothing more," T'mpest stated simply. "From the information I have gathered in the last hour, Admiral Jubb has his own agenda. I would appreciate any information you have on his activity during the Dominion War."
She gave Varik a calculating glance before continuing. "I want to help you, but I need to save my people first. My crew, the people who came here with me. If Jubb is as guilty as he seems, that will be a separate matter."
"What you ask is difficult, commander." Varik stated simply. "Your crew, at least the one's with Jaenero are being tainted by their current associations with Admiral Jubb. Whether they were here with him last time or not, I don't know, I doubt Jaenero knows for sure, he is just taking what he perceives as the best course of action for our people, to help heal from the past knowing that the perpetrators have come to justice." He paused for a moment, contemplating for a second on what to give up. "I will provide a video recording to you. It's one of the only surviving records from the time, showing the launch of the biotoxin tube from Jubb's vessel and dissemination of its contents into the atmosphere. It's scratchy but authentic. But I must insist on delivering this to you personally. I wish to come aboard your ship, and as a sign of good faith, I will bring several of your team with me, your Intelligence and Executive officers included."
T'mpest paused, considering his words. Varik took advantage and added, "Commander, you do not have a lot of time. And I can do nothing for your people here."
"Very well." T'mpest turned to Blake. "Beam them aboard."
"Thank you, commander. I will see you shortly. I would also like to see the evidence that you have compiled as well, to give some idea of how to further benefit your cause, or your people."
"An exchange of information is acceptable," she replied. "I will have a copy of all my non-classified information ready for you to peruse."
Varik nodded and closed the channel. He needed to get a few things organised for transport.
When she was sure the channel was closed, she turned to tactical. "Track the transporter signal. If this goes badly, I want to be able to beam our people back." She could at least get the rest of Maas' prisoners. But there was a 92.78% chance that, regardless of the final verdict, Maas would release the rest of the crew he still held hostage. "I'll meet him in the transporter room."
It took a few moments to make a backup of the data Varik was allowed to see. As she headed for the turbolift she called, "Blake, you have the bridge."
Adriana glanced at Lieutenant Blake, then at Commander T'mpest. She didn't ask for permission, she just shot Blake a look that asked for forgiveness instead as she followed the Commander right into the turbolift. T'mpest wasn't going to shake her easily- if this man had information that could save Morai, Adriana wanted to make sure it got there.
OFF
Sammi
Computer Avatar
Commander T'mpest Michaels
Commanding Officer
Varik Maas
Rebel Leader
Lieutenant JG Rami Miral
Intel Officer
Petty Officer First Class Keen Adriana
Operations
RSS Feed