Up to Speed

Posted on Tue Aug 18th, 2009 @ 10:15pm by Lieutenant JG Drew O'Connell & Lieutenant JG Ador Shran & Lieutenant Commander Eliza McAdams

1,608 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Behind the Mask of Familiarity
Location: Forensics Lab
Timeline: Backpost

Drew caught up with the Chief of Security and Tactical and his Assistant Chief. Lieutenant Ador Shran was a severe Andorian who had clearly seen his fair share of battle and battle scars. Kathryn Martin was, if anything, his exact opposite. A slender and attractive young woman with her own story and a tension which radiated from her like the rays of the sun. Drew nodded to each as he introduced himself, "Lieutenant Shran, Lieutenant Martin, I'm Lieutenant Andrew O'Connell. I'll be serving as the Archimedes Chief Intelligence Officer. Would you please bring me up to date on the current events regarding the sabotage and the murder of Ensign Turoc?"

"Well Lieutenant, we are in the middle of the investigation." Ador said gruffly. He was still sorting though the evidence that Lieutenant Martin was showing him.

Drew could instantly tell this was going to be like pulling teeth. He'd grown into being a jerk around Shalie Montgomery, felt he could get away with it mostly, but this Ador Shran was about to see it firsthand. Grindling his teeth, Drew responded. "It's fine, Lieutenant, I can see that you don't need a busybody peering over your shoulder while you investigate the death of your own Assistant."

It was a mild stinging comment compared to the one he could have delivered. The one that implied Shran himself and his incompetence were resposible for putting the ship in the multiple bad positions it was in. Murder, sabotage, and an incompetence which jailed an innocent crewmate while the guilty ran free. The follow-up comment to Martin was hot on the first's heels, wondering how she could put her life in the hands of such a bumbling fool was bit back but just barely. "However, I may be of some use. The Captain seemed to think so anyway."

Turning from the surly Andorian, Drew addressed the human security officer with him. "Lieutenant Martin, do you think you might bring me up to speed with the investigation? I hate to interrupt Lieutenant Shran's brooding."

Inter-departmental politics was something Kate had, sadly, had plenty of dealings with in recent years but she'd have been lying if she'd tried to pretend she'd expected to be faced with it so soon after accepting her new posting. Granted, that was mostly to do with the preoccupation of her mind on the task at hand and her having spent no time whatsoever contemplating the nature of those other key departmental heads she would eventually have to work with but that only left her with a very quick mental turnaround to perform. Discussing the autopsy report with a view of being given permission to access the suspect had quickly turned into a test of diplomacy. The young brunette looked taken aback for all of about five seconds after she was addressed, at which point her features smoothed into a placating smile.

"I've always thought solving crimes was difficult without cooperation, Lieutenant. Kathryn Martin," she added by way of formal introduction, her hand extended. He had clearly already figured out who she was but that was by no means an excuse to forego formalities. If nothing else, it stalled for time and gave at least some potential for the conversation to get back onto a productive path.

Drew coughed slightly as he realized his own faux pas. Accepting her hand, he shook it firmly. "My apologies, Lieutenant Martin. Andrew O'Connell, Chief Intelligence officer. You can call me Lieutenant or you can call me Drew...just don't call me Andy and we'll get along well."

He chuckled lightly before he pressed on, "I've just come from a few meetings. I thought meeting you both would be the logical course in unraveling this mystery." Drew nodded to both Martin and Shran. "I'm curious what you've uncovered in relation to the investigation as it pertains specifically to Lieutenant Carter."

"Nothing, as yet, at least nothing I can report on personally." Though Kate still felt a little overwhelmed at the pace she'd been forced to adopt, especially since she hadn't been prepared for this level of involvment in departmental matters, her tone maintained a level of confidence that remained free of arrogance. She was used to working with Intel. They could be a pain in the behind but they were also valuable at times and, it had to be said, as entitled to do their job as she was to do hers. Getting off-side was not on the cards if she could avoid it, there were more important things to focus her energy on. "Something I hope to rectify within the next half hour or so."

"Fair enough," Drew said, realizing they were still too early in their investigation to be much help. It was exactly what Ador Shran had told him when he first entered. Drew changed tact, addressing Shran this time. "Lieutenant Shran, Captain Lane has asked me to set a fresh pair of eyes on the data accumulated so far. To do that, I'll need to pursue some personal interviews. Near the top of my list is Lieutenant Lucy Carter. I was hoping you would clear me to speak with her."

"Lieutenant, you can accompany Lieutenant Martin when she questions the suspect. By the way kid, I may not be a detective. I am however an operator from way back so watch your tone with me. You'll find your career will be more enjoyable, old Sergeants know the system better than straight academy officers, kid." Ador said with a glare that let the young Lieutenant know that he had his number.

"Lieutenant Martin, you are in charge of the interrogation is that clear?" Ador added to his new assisitant.

Though not a disrespectful person, there was a pointed element to Kate's gaze as she directed it at her superior officer, not exactly challenging his methods but certainly not bowing to them submissively. Shran was an interesting character, someone she felt she could respect a great deal and learn from but who was also going to try her patience at times. She smiled. "Of course, sir." Her green eyes flicked towards the Intel officer and Kate smiled faintly. She and Lt. O'Connell would need a little chat.

Drew smiled as he nodded at the ill-tempered Andorian. Their species had always been known for their quick temper and dramatic flair. Why should this one be any different? he thought. Still, he had work to do and Lieutenant Martin, though helpful, was not going to be involved when he had his conversation with Carter. "shall we then?" Drew asked, motioning to the door.

As Shran dismissed them and the pair walked from the room silently, Kate considered her options. O'Connell was tenacious, that much she could admire, and he was proactive and outspoken, traits that weren't necessarily bad things but which could be obstacles if incited against a person. The Andorian Lieutenant might have felt the need to exert his authority but Kate preferred colleagues to minions and she hardly had jurisdiction over O'Connell to begin with. As the doors shut behind them, her lips twitched and, though she was still staring directly ahead, she quietly said, "It's always interesting how quickly an interview can turn into an interogation. I think it's fair to point out that I have formed absolutely no opinion about Lieutenant Carter and I don't intend to until after I've spoken to her. As far as I'm concerned, she's just a person of interest currently." Glancing sideways, the brunette added as they approached a turbolift, "I should also point out that I don't intend to turn up en mass with an interogation squad. Treating people like criminals before you've amassed enough proof to label them as such doesn't sit right with me."

The lift doors opened and she stepped inside, turning to face the door. Waiting for him to join her, Kate gave the young Lieutenant Junior Grade another once-over. Intel had always intrigued her though she'd never really felt much desire to pursue a career in that direction, at least not at the moment. It was unusual for a Nova to be assigned a static Intel operative, however, and in the confines of such a small crew, she would likely have more of an opportunity to get to know O'Connell than she had previous Intel Chiefs she'd dealt with. Interpersonal relationships always seemed complicated, at least as far as Kate was concerned, but it was always her intent to get along with others. In this case, it seemed somewhat imperative. She needed a working relationship with this man and that meant evoking an atmosphere of give-and-take. She smiled faintly at him. "Two sets of observations are better than one though. The Lieutenant put me in charge so I guess that means I am fully permitted to choose my own methods." For a moment, an unusual gleam of mischief reflected in the young security officer's eyes. "So do you want to take first or second turn?"

"I'll take second. You are going in as an interrogator, I'll go in as friend...the old good cop, bad cop routine." Drew smiled. As an afterthought, he added, "Thanks for the privacy. It may just come in handy..."

Kathryn smiled wanely. "Interrogation is for the guilty, Lieutenant." Staring directly ahead, the young brunette's features clouded for a moment. "All I'm doing now is figuring out who deserves it."

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Sharing the load brought to you by:

Lt. Ador Shran
Chief Security Officer
USS Archimedes

Lt. JG Andrew O'Connell
Chief Intel Officer
USS Archimedes

and

Lt. JG Kathryn Martin
Assistant Chief Security Officer
USS Archimedes

 

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