Denying Death Part II
Posted on Mon May 6th, 2024 @ 12:09am by Lieutenant JG Mira Jayna & Staff Warrant Officer Rommie
Edited on on Tue May 7th, 2024 @ 11:12pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 15 - The Evil That Lies Beneath
Location: Quarters of Major Cornelius Tremble - Deck 2 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD005 1600 hrs
As she processed she looked Jayna over and asked, "I understand the pain you must be experiencing, Lieutenant. The loss of a loved one can be very trying. Would you like me to assist in assigning a grief counselor and assign a Physician for an autopsy and related graves official to assist with the Major's final wishes?"
Rommie's programs were running on automatic while she also processed information from the ship’s records. At least the ones she had access to.
"No. Thank you.” Although logical, the clinical response surprised Jayna. She was not ready to accept that Neil was dead. “If this gets too much for me, I'll talk to Lieutenant Rynn. But right now, I need to find out what happened. And..." she hesitated. "I'll probably be spending more time here because everything here reminds me of Neil. It's also the safest place to update you on what I've learned."
Rommie was silent a few moments longer and her image solidified and her gaze met Jayna’s. "Lieutenant, are you confirming that while indications are that the Major is dead, you believe that not to be the case?"
"Yes. The timing is off. It happened so fast, and while that is within the realm of possibility, it just feels wrong." Besides, she was not willing to accept that it could be him. Not without unquestionable proof, and right now, she didn't have it. She ran a hand through her hair, momentarily distracted.
Rommie frowned and slowly her uniform changed to a blood-red skin suit and the lights in the Pioneer's XO office dimmed, blinked and then a hum could be heard. "Room secure," Rommie stated as she caught Jayna's eyes. According to ship's systems. The Major IS dead. And is aboard the Pioneer. Following that, the most logical explanation is that there are, somehow, two Pioneers. The ship's computer can see both. It can't reference it indicating a spatial/rift of some kind. Perhaps something similar to Fluidic space, but much smaller and attached to Pioneer in some kind. Tactical analysis is lacking, since I do not have access to the ship's sensors or databases. Nor do I have much access to ship's internal sensors, though tactical analysis indicates a threat of some kind. Someone or thing caused this. And not on accident."
Rommie didn't move, but a panel slid in one corner revealing an assortment of weapons, including Bajoran phaser carbines, knives and a small cluster of grenades. "The Major prepared several caches about the ship. Will these do to eliminate the threat?"
Jayna took a moment to look over the weapons with appreciation. "Not at the moment, but it's good to know they're here if I need them." Neil was both dead and on the Pioneer. That was oddly comforting. "Not exactly like fluidic space. The current theory is they got pulled into a parallel universe or oubliette. Putting together what I've learned so far, someone has possessed Commander McGowen and Captain Malbrooke. Weapons would kill them but not what's possessing them. Not if the condition of the underwater research facility is anything to go by." She paced the room, letting the pieces she had so far shift into place. There were still too many ones missing, and too many questions. "You can't access the main computer, but I can. Rowena told me that on her last ship something made the crew disappear and the captain killed everyone that remained. Except her. I think something similar is happening here. You said this place is secure. Can I access Neil's computer securely from here? I don't want Rowena to learn that I'm looking into her former ship." She smiled at Rommie. "You can't get into the main computer, but I can." She still needed to see who was really dead, but there were things she wanted to do from Neil's quarters first--if she could.
Rommie seemed disappointed when Jayna didn't dig into the weapons cache, crossing her arms. "The Major's systems are as secure as any. His is in standalone mode just now, cut off from the ships database since he last used it. I am in read only mode for the ships systems, monitoring what I can. Are you having troubles with access?"
"Not trouble as much as concerns." Jayna continued to pace. "Rowena is possessed, and she's the chief of intelligence. I'm afraid that if I start digging into her background, she'll know and I'll be the next to disappear. I may be overthinking things, too. I can mask my searches and then remove them. She won't notice unless she gets suspicious and has a close look at what I'm doing. She's the head of intel. She has all the access I do, and more."
Jayna stopped and turned to Rommie. "I need to stop getting so paranoid. Captain Merrick is looking into Rowena's background, too. I'm sure there are more now. So, next on my list: I need to find out everything I can about Rowena's former ship, the Maleficus, I think. I need to find out who else has been looking into that." She paused for a moment. "I should talk to Gage. He was undercover in the Romulan facility. He might know something about who was working in that underwater facility. I should talk to him. And I need to find out who is actually dead. Neil can't be in two places at once. Oh, and I need to contact some paranormal team Rowena mentioned." She raised an eyebrow as she looked at Romana. "Anything I'm missing?"
She stopped and shook her head.
Rommie stood, one hip cocked and her arms crossed while she listened. Pushing a lock of hair back out of her eyes as Jayna finished, she said, "I believe the Major would counsel not wasting too much time looking for a solution in the past. If you have enough hands, it's fine to do some of that and even use it as a distraction to keep your foe running around putting out brush fires. You should have some experience with that given your training in guerrilla tactics. Looking at the Major's personal logs, he was concerned about the Commodore. Is his erratic mindset and paranoia getting worse? If I was a bad actor looking to control the ship, I would focus much of my attention on that avenue. IF he is being manipulated and Rowena or some entity is responsible, dealing with that threat is primary concern. Direct action might be required and going against the Second Officer is a preferred option than mutiny against a Fleet Captain."
"There was a meeting to discuss those options. Most of the assistant department heads where there. I was part of the planning, but not the execution. I've been looking into Rowena's background. And now the body that may or may not be Neil has become a priority." She looked intently at Rommie. "We are taking this very seriously, and I'm doing what I do best, which is gather information and give it to the people who need it most. I promise you I'm taking this very seriously and I will do all in my power to find Neil and if he is alive, as I hope, get him back. But it's going to take a team effort to get this worked out."
She nodded towards the weapons locker. "And if those weapons do become necessary, I'll let you know." She really hoped they wouldn't. These were her crew members. Her friends. She was growing more convinced that Harris was right and that it was some entity--or entities--responsible for this. And that reminded her she had something else that needed to be done. "I will definitely keep you updated, and I hope that soon, Neil can update you himself." She had to hold on to that. There were moments when the need to have Neil back was what kept her moving forward.
Rommie nodded and held back a sigh. Her duty was to serve as directed. That she was curtailed was annoying. "Thank you, Lieutenant. I do appreciate the updates and am happy to help."
"Your help and suggestions have been invaluable," Jayna assured her. Even though she couldn't agree with a frontal assault, she could appreciate the sentiment behind it. But it would not be necessary. They would find a way to get Neil and the others back and free the captain and Rowena from whatever was possessing them.
But first, she had to be certain it wasn't Neil in the Morgue. Second...well, that would depend on the outcome of the first. "I will be back to tell you what I learn," she promised as she headed out the door.
A Joint Post By
Staff Warrant Officer Rommie
Aide-De-Camp, The Cure
USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Junior Grade Mira Jayna
Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer, USS Pioneer
Intelligence Liaison, The Cure
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