Poaching the White Whale
Posted on Tue Dec 18th, 2018 @ 8:22am by Qurban & Lieutenant Colonel Storr Garlake
Edited on on Tue Dec 18th, 2018 @ 8:43am
2,890 words; about a 14 minute read
Mission:
S1E2: Half Past Dead
Location: Memory Theta, Deck 8, Marine Commandant's Office
Timeline: MD 4: 2130
Storr's steepled fingers partially weaved through his short beard and covered his mouth, terminating just under his nose. He had been sitting like this for...minutes? Hours? Days? *Frack, lifetimes feel more like it,* the Marine thought as he unfolded his body and stretched, his sizable chair groaning under the sudden expansion. After the subsequent pops, crackles, and release of tension throughout his shoulders, elbows, and elsewhere, Lieutenant Garlake rocked his head from side to side and re-focused on the expanded visual screen.
"Play it again, from the beginning," the Marine commanded, a chime from the computer dutifully responding to his order.
"For the record, I am Storr Garlake, Station Commandant and this is an official inquiry into the events on the twelfth of January, 2839. As a member of Starfleet, you have the right to stay silent; the right to talk to a lawyer; the right to stop an interrogation; the right to leave an interrogation; the right to say “no” to a search. Do you understand these rights and do you wish to proceed?"
"Computer, skip past this part on all future interviews." The computer chimed in the affirmative before continuing playback.
"Staff Sergeant Roderik Kos, Chief of Security and Tactical Operations on USS Phantom, and Memory Theta Field Team operative. I understand my rights as they have been read to me, and will cooperate in this official inquiry." Rodi looked at comfortable at the other side of Storr's desk as he would at his duty station, or standing at full attention.
"Could you please describe the events as they transpired during the mission briefing, specifically in relation to Lieutenant Kiril Nevin and Lieutenant JG Nevada McKay?"
"We were summoned for a mission briefing in regards to the recent Clock Maker operation in the New Florence system. Lieutenants Nevin and McKay were not present for the briefing. Commander Mrazak had them transported by the Theta AI Ferrofax into the briefing room. If I remember correctly both were in states of undress. Commander Mrazak had them confined to forcefields and ordered the AI Ferrofax to run the briefing for them for an indeterminate time. We were then dismissed."
"Do you have anything else you'd like to add concerning the conduct of Commander Mrazak?"
"Only that during a private conversation the commander informed me that he expected a level of blind obedience that is not traditional of Starfleet members."
Nevin silently nodded in response.
"Could you please describe the events as they transpired during the mission briefing, specifically in relation to you and Lieutenant JG Nevada McKay?"
"Specific to those events?" Nevin drummed his fingers against the back of his hand. "I don't have much to say. I was in Sickbay and suddenly I wasn't, against my will. And I was imprisoned for hours. I won't speak to the specifics of Lieutenant McKay, but she has a much bigger axe to grind in that specific scenario."
"Do you have anything else you'd like to add concerning the conduct of Commander Mrazak?"
"Ah, see, now you're getting to the good stuff." Nevin smiled. While he wasn't exactly a vindictive person, he was starting to be pushed in that direction. "Commander Mrazak has falsified reports, kept me prisoner on this station, threatened me and my family with harm. I was supposed to be here only temporarily, just long enough to develop a cure to an alien disease. I did that and wasn't allowed to leave. I was kept from my ship and my partner on board that ship."
Nevin could feel himself starting to get angry but took a deep breath. "Honestly, I hope that man rots for what he's done. He plays with people's lives and careers for his own personal gain and frankly, I can't wait to leave this station and be far away from him. Luckily Commander ben-Avram just approved my transfer home so I'll be leaving soon. Does that answer all of your questions, Colonel?"
"No to a lawyer, No to a search, but I'll talk," Nevada Shrugged as she shifted her posture to lean against the desk.
"Could you please describe the events as they transpired during the mission briefing, specifically in relation to you and Lieutenant Kiril Nevin?"
"I was washing up, getting ready to go to the briefing, though I guess my internal clock was off, so I was an hour behind schedule," Nevada hummed and rubbed her chin. "So when Ferrofax initiated a site to site Transport I was in the shower," she said bluntly. "I have no idea what Nevin was doing...I think I've spoken to him once in passing," she with a disinterested yawn.
"Do you have anything else you'd like to add concerning the conduct of Commander Mrazak?"
"I'm a little disappointed he didn't have me transported back to my quarters," she muttered under her breath. "but other than that, he behaved like a human would upon seeing an attractive female in the nude."
"For the record, I am Storr Garlake, Station Commandant and this is an official inquiry into the events on the tenth of February, 2839. As a member of Starfleet, you have the right to stay silent; the right to talk to a lawyer; the right to stop an interrogation; the right to leave an interrogation; the right to say 'no' to a search. Do you understand these rights and do you wish to proceed?"
"I do," Akiva smirked at the formality. As the son of a rabbi, he had a certain love/hate relationship with such bureaucratic fine-print.
"Could you please describe the events as they transpired during the mission briefing, specifically in relation to Lieutenant Kiril Nevin and Lieutenant JG Nevada McKay?"
"We were meeting in an undisclosed location to discuss a classified intelligence briefing when Commander Mrazak expressed indignation that the two named junior officers were not present. He ordered the... computer... to beam them directly into the room. Both junior officers were transported into the briefing in various stages of undress, at which time I personally left the room to obtain proper clothing."
"Do you have anything else you'd like to add concerning the conduct of Commander Mrazak?"
"As the administrator the facility where he is assigned, and a representative of the JAG office, I recommended this investigation not only due to the events on this day but for several other events as well. Let the record show that his conduct was not an isolated event."
"I understand what you have said. I also know under Title 19 of the Federation Bill Of Sentient Rights I am considered sentient software, and under the same Title 19 in its 400th paragraph, I am also considered a weapons system and thus exempt from that clause. So whilst the rights you have described to me are real, under a certain point of view I'm a light bulb whose time is being wasted."
"Could you please describe the events as they transpired during the mission briefing, specifically in relation to Lieutenant Kiril Nevin and Lieutenant JG Nevada McKay?"
"They were tardy, and in an attempt to move things along were transported site to site by myself and the station's matter transportation system. I can use smaller words if this is difficult for you to follow. Diagrams perhaps? Colored pictures?"
Only Storr recognized the momentary twitch at the corner of his own mouth on screen. Perhaps it was time to suggest a defrag of Memory Theta's primary sub-routines.
"Do you have anything else you'd like to add concerning the conduct of Commander Mrazak?"
"Yes. I am very sorry for the loss of all one hundred and twenty-five crewmen on board the USS Dante and would like anyone in a position of authority listening to this travesty that I am very sorry. In hindsight diverting power from life support and the inertial compensators, and thus resulting in mass crew death via unadulterated gravitational forces, only lead to a .2% rise in my combat effectiveness. I've learned my lesson, and will not cause slaughter unless they are not wearing Starfleet uniforms. I promise. There, are we done? Its a marginal inconvenience for me, but I do have things to do whilst you plot legal mutiny.
“The record may reflect that I understand these rights as they are articulated in the most recent handbook published in Vulcan, a translation to my native language being unofficial and non-authoritative. I consent to proceed and waive any and all rights to a translator,” came the mildly bemused reply.
"Could you please describe the events as they transpired during the mission briefing, specifically in relation to Lieutenant Kiril Nevin and Lieutenant JG Nevada McKay?"
“Upon legal advice, I decline to comment upon the contents or conduct of the mission briefing. I invoke Guarantee 7 of the Federation Constitution, Article 31 of the Universal Code of Military Justice, and the appendix to the 9th Treaty of Odair.” A pause followed. “However, Mr. Nevin and Miss McKay were not present during the briefing, despite having been ordered to so be. At the conclusion of the briefing, Command Mrazak had both officers transported to the briefing room in a level 9 containment field. Lieutenant Kiril was wearing some form of black trousers, and note shirt. Lieutenant McKay materialized with mere soap as modesty. I do not have any speculation as to why either officer happened to be in such an inappropriate state instead of at the briefing. Commander Mrazak ordered both officers continued detainment within the containment fields and ordered a recording of the briefing played on continuous repeat until both Lieutenants could answer 10 random questions about its contents. I wish the record to reflect that no attempt was made by any other command officers to override this.”
"Do you have anything else you'd like to add concerning the conduct of Commander Mrazak?"
“I have no further comment concerning this incident. Upon legal advice, I invoke Guarantee 7, Article 31, and the Appendix in regards to other incidents that would otherwise be relevant to this proceeding."
Fingers thrummed against the desktop, their dull echoes quickly dissipating in the otherwise silent room. A quick glance at the chronometer made Storr groan. Standing with another stretch, he manually locked his workstation and made for the door though not before taking a quick look at the mirror beside it. He represented the Station and the office of Commandant, true, but he represented the Corp first wherever he went...even if it was to get a drink.
Memory Theta, Deck 5, Station Lounge
The Afrikaner took one of the two commanding chairs facing the wall-to-ceiling observation windows, the lounge being deserted despite the still somewhat early hour. Janeway dutifully approached with a lowball glass of his "usual," a 25-year-old Glenfiddich (or at least that's what he kept telling himself despite knowing better concerning the station's alcohol storage inventory and replication capabilities). Taking a slow sip, the Borg drone disappearing as quickly as it had come, Storr wondered if he should be concerned that he already had a "usual." As he contemplated the thought, Garlake caught a lone entrant out the side of his gaze over the neverending maelstrom outside.
"Terran Scotch," said a voice behind him. "I have developed a fondness for it. Would you care to share a glass?"
Storr nodded and indicated the seat next to him with his glass, careful not to let any of the amber fire escape prematurely. The Borg drone Janeway returned with another serving.
"Glad to have you. I know that we've passed here and there and I'm sorry I haven't introduced myself formally...Storr Garlake, station commandant," he said, reaching over his own body to shake the man's hand. He had the faint feeling that they had indeed met before but for the life of him, Storr couldn't recall.
"I'm acquainted with your wife," Qurban offered as he shook the man's hand. "Perhaps she's mentioned me. I am also perhaps the only friend that Commander Mrazak has at the moment." He gave Storr an amused sidelong look, gauging what he would say to that.
Storr's eyes clouded for only a moment as he took a sip, the strong drink burning in a pleasurable pain as it trickled down his throat. Jaya was a counselor and while it was her job to know people (and all that that position entailed), he occasionally brooked a nagging suspicion that emotional/psychological bonds were formed that he should know about but never could. This was one of those times.
"No, I'm afraid she's never mentioned you Mister...?" he led, the man having verbally ju-jitsued his way to not giving his name.
"They call me Qurban," he answered, "though I've never known why."
The Marine nodded, though the name got him no closer to who the man truly was...he belied much more than his simple exterior implied, that much was for sure. Tucking the question away for a later time with his Bride, he continued. "Unfortunately, Qurban," Storr said with a chuckle before finishing his drink and placing the emptied glass on the small table separating their chairs, "The good commander doesn't seem to elicit friendship either on or off duty so you are indeed a rare breed. Care to tell me more about you and him?"
"We made an accord many years ago," Qurban said. "Soon after he first arrived, in fact. I would help him rise the ranks, and he would help me remember who I am."
"So has he made good on his side of the deal? It seems that you have up 'till now."
"One does what one can," Qurban said with a shrug. "Which brings us to you, Storr Garlake. You have compiled a case against Commander Mrazak, thinking to correct a wrong. But you know full well that what Starfleet has made here is not manageable through conventional means nor by traditional officers. It takes a special breed, does it not? To break rules in order to follow greater ones? Consider the threats since you've arrived here: the Clock Makers in Abadar's Gate, the Black Nagus on Bynaus, the administrator that you yourself removed. What would have happened if any other man were in Mrazak's shoes? Is Mrazak of the same ilk as Administrator Who's-Its that you shot on sight? Some questions for you to ponder, General Garlake."
The Commandant's brow furrowed heavily. Ponder indeed. After several moments of silence, the Marine answered, ignoring for a moment the man's troubling knowledge of him and mistaken rank. "It's Lieutenant Colonel, but I appreciate the promotion." Storr began with a smile. "You have to know what the rules are and why they are there in the first place before you can know when, how, and why to break them. Simply flaunting rules to flaunt them or out of sheer ignorance is one thing, versus taking a calculated risk by stepping outside the rules to achieve an objective. Experts in a field are experts because they have perfected the basics which then come naturally, allowing more effort to be put on higher-order tasks. Those basics are rooted in fundamentals, discipline, order, and experience developed in that field over time and in my case, blood sweat and tears. I know, for example, when it's acceptable to muzzle a friendly when sweeping from one firing field to another even though it violates the second rule of firearm safety. When is it ever acceptable to beam someone into a briefing, contain them in a forcefield, and when seeing their states of undress, care nothing of it? That's not breaking a rule to achieve a mission objective, save a life, or more effectively accomplish a task. That's rule-breaking based off of power and punishment, no more, no less."
Qurban blinked away most of Storr's speech. "Did you say 'Lieutenant Colonel'? So this is the timeline when..." A nervous chuckle soon turned to giddy laughter. "Oh, my. I nearly overstepped myself. Continue on, Colonel Garlake. Tally ho and such, as it was said ere long and anon." He patted Storr on the shoulder as he rose to leave. "We shall speak again, I think. And soon, perhaps."
"I...I hope so," Storr answered to the Qurban's retreating form. Now there was an odd conversation that left far, far more questions than answers. General? Timeline? Knowing Jaya enough that she would mention him to Storr? Mrazak and his "deal?" Knowing about the situation with Garlake and the previous station administrator, not to mention all their recent missions?
The Station Commandant shook his head as he snapped his fingers, Janeway dutifully returning with another filled glass which she substituted for the empty one, albeit shakily. Taking a sip as he absently looked out over the Badlands, he couldn't help but feel that the information on his PADD would change Mrazak's life forever, not to mention the dynamics of the station. Gulping the substantial remainder of the drink down, he squeezed his eyes shut at the intense fire raining down his gullet and stood. The pleasurable pain lingered for a few moments but soon enough he opened his eyes and blinked back his momentary watery vision to pick up the PADD and leave the lounge. His investigation over, it was time to turn in the findings to the judge, jury, and executioner...he just hoped that Akiva would sub-contract out the last part.
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