The message

Posted on Tue Feb 7th, 2023 @ 7:06pm by Lieutenant Commander P’rel M.D

Mission: Wrath of the People
Location: Orbital Habitat 6V:47
Timeline: MD4
942 words - 1.9 OF Standard Post Measure

"...remains in custody having been formally charged in relation to the attack. Meanwhile the crew of the Athena have been ordered shipboard, and will undoubtedly be called to testify in the imminent trial. Several high profile flag officers and delegates remain in a critical condition, and we can now sadly confirm the death of -"

"Computer, end news stream" P'rel ordered from somewhere in the darkness of the yet to be completed room. One of the habitats still being constructed, 6V:47 had made for an ideal hiding place; as the news holo vanished from its suspended place in the air, so too did the only light source save for the ambient glow of Earth coming through the windows. On this empty, silent station, the familiar whine of a transporter beam was easily detectable in an adjacent corridor, and the Vulcan moved silently to press herself against the wall closest the door arch, plasma torch outstretched at neck level ready to give a really, really bad day to whomever stepped through the threshold of the doorless aperture if it wasn't precisely who she was expecting.

"Phaser or something heavier?" came the voice of her one time mentor, Captain Bennett, as he stepped through and caught sight of the plasma torch; "not totally original, but it'll do" he said half jokingly as he walked to the window to look down upon the Earth, whilst P'rel laid the torch down and joined him.

"He didn't do it". P'rel stated, hoping that at least a direct approach might give her more progress than Bennett's usual method of dancing around a topic.

"I know" he conceded immediately, much to the Vulcan's surprise. "If it's any consolation, I don't know who did do it, but I know it wasn't that knuckle dragging brute - he wouldn't have the brains for one".

Glaring out the window, she was fully aware Bennett was trying to provoke her into defending the Captain as a way to measure exactly where she sat on the matter, and how far she'd go to protect Captain Kane. "What do you know about Nerak?" she asked, refusing to bite and instead pressing on.

He smiled, it wasn't quite a smug smile but it was certainly heading in that direction. "Oh I know all about the tricorder scan you took of him..." he glanced over, unable to resist seeing her face.

She wasn't able to conceal it in time as her snapped round to meet his stare in shock.

"Impossible isn't it, those readings...." he baited.

More concerned with a most concerning issue P'rel looked him right in the eyes; "But if you know..."

"Then Starfleet Security know as well" he finished. "And that means you are just as screwed as Kane..." he offered a sort of compassionate, concerned smile. "Computer, News please".

"...is at large and considered dangerous. Lieutenant P'rel was last seen hurriedly leaving the scene of the attack, though is not believed to have left the Earth local system. Citizens are warned not to approach the suspect and to contact your nearest Starfleet or Federation Security offices with any sightings. In related news, both prosecution and defence counsels have bee-"

"End news" P'rel ordered, and the holo once again disappeared to leave a dark room. "The timing of this is a little too perfect, coinciding with your visit" she stated in a distinctly accusatory tone.

"Isn't it?" he replied with a smile; "Starfleet monitor everything at the time like this, contacting me was too high a risk - you know I can't help you if I'm arrested too".

She took a second to digest his characteristically deliberate words. She wouldn't have much time now. "How long?"

"Long enough" he replied, tossing her a small device from his pocket. She recognised it, a very old Starfleet communicator now just used by collectors and hobbyists for short range transmissions; frequencies so weak they were rarely monitored these days. She pocketed the gold topped device. "So you'll help me?" she asked.

"Whoever has done this is a threat. I don't care if Jacob Kane rots in jail for the rest of time frankly, but there is still far more at work here than yet we know."

She looked at him, she had time for one request as transporter beams began to audibly appear nearby, a message to the Captain - but what? She remembered telling him about the contact initiation sign she used with Silnan; the Andorian ice lilly. So delicate and sensitive to heat that it would disappear to nothing within hours of being outside of arctic conditions. "Make sure Kane gets an Andorian Ice Lilly, he'll know what it means" she urged, hoping that Kane even remembered the conversation and then hoping still that he'd understand it meant she was on the case.

Hurried voices grew louder and the first beams of rifle lights swept over the corridor walls outside. Bennett tossed her a phaser and nodded, she returned the nod and shot him square in the chest, watching as his body crumpled under the stun. Moving quickly to his fallen body, she removed his comm badge and squeezed it twice, following the well established protocols, and was relieved when the habitat blended within a blue haze to form a large beach, with deep waves thumping on the white sand a little further out. She looked to the blue sky and saw the faint outline of Earth Spacedock in orbit, that meant she was in North America, and from the sun she was on the West Coast somewhere; the heat felt like California - but why, why would he send her to California...?