On the Wire
Posted on Wed Apr 21st, 2021 @ 10:29am by Major Cornelius Tremble
Edited on on Thu Apr 22nd, 2021 @ 3:39am
717 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
Episode 11 - Family Matters
Location: USS Oakley/Starbase Port Royale
Timeline: MD004 1215 hrs
Neil tuned out the rest of Oakley's bridge chatter as he fiddled with the yacht's comm system.
First he connected to a Fleet relay station in Federation space and piggybacked the signal onto a civilian channel and plugged in a scrambler that should make it look like background noise to anyone else trying to use it, causing them to move on. Finally, he fed a grappling program into the stations comm system to make it look like a local call and chimed Captain Martinez. When the link opened he said, "Captain Martinez? This is Captain Cornellius Tremble, FMC and travel agent for Captain Tyler Malbrooke. I was wondering if you had a moment to chat?"
Sarah looked back at Captain Tremble. She sensed that whatever he contacted her for was of a serious nature. “Yes, Captain Tremble.” She replied. “What can I help you with?”
Neil considered how best to phrase things, given the rather hinkey, to his mind, comm's set up, decided to trust in Corporal Fry's directions and said, "I understand you might have some insight into a Romulan named Loval. My system lists him as an Ambassador, but I'm getting the stink of Tal Shiar off of him."
Sarah listened to him and sat back, at first surprised but then at the same time she wasn’t. She took a moment to think and then spoke. “I have had many dealings with Ambassador Loval.” She replied. “Is there something in particular you would like to know?”
Neil considered his words, then said, "It appears that Loval has kidnapped a family member from one of Pioneer's crew. From Star Fleet Academy, no less. The family is ex pat Romulans. A little while ago, we encountered Loval in Romulan space and he warned us off. Captain Malbrooke thought you might have some insight that could aid us."
Sarah’s eyes widened at his words. She wasn’t shocked, which one might have thought she would be. “If he has gone to that extreme then I can guarantee that you have something he wants, something he is willing to put his reputation and life on the line to get. Though Loval always came across as the best of Ambassadors and has never caused dissension I knew that that was what he wanted us to see.” Her eyes met his, very serious. “He will carry through on any threat he makes. What is it that he wants?”
Neil scratched at the back of his head as he glanced off-screen, then looked back at Sarah. "Apparently, our Chief Science Officer. Wanting him back into the fold. After that, we've no idea."
The marine settled back into his chair and continued, "More than likely, he's up to no good. Any idea where we could find him or something he cares enough about that, would lead us too him?"
"I wish I could help you there," Sarah replied after a moment. "Loval was never forthcoming on what mattered to him or his personal life, other than the Romulan people. If you have what he wants, he won't go far." She paused for a moment. "I would highly recommend that you try and ascertain what it is your Chief Science Officer has or knows that he wants. Loval isn't going to take this type of risk for one Romulan serving Starfleet unless it is something important to him.
"What a good idea," Neil said, his jaw tightening. "Thank you for the insight, Captain. If you happen to think of anything else that might help us deal with Loval, please reach out? I'd better get back to things if we're going to get ahead of him."
"I definitely will," Sarah said seriously. "I hope everything turns out all right for you and the crew. I will reach out to some contacts and if I find out anything i will let you know immediately. I wish it had been better circumstances, Captain." She was concerned both for their situation and for Ambassador Loval. What was he thinking?
A Joint Post By
Captain Sarah Martinez
Chief Diplomatic Officer,
Starbase Port Royale
Captain Cornelius Tremble
Marine Commanding Officer/Second Officer, USS Pioneer
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