A Matter Of Trust
Posted on Wed Jun 16th, 2021 @ 4:32am by Makeba Brown
Edited on on Wed Jun 16th, 2021 @ 4:39am
1,136 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Episode 11 - Family Matters
Location: Captain's Ready Room - Deck 1 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD004 1100 hrs
Jennifer had assigned Makeba the task of learning what they could about these new friends the Jutrai. At first it was hard going and then Makeba used an old Maquis trick to get some eyes on the enemy. She piggybacked her sensors on the defense system signals of the Jutrai. In doing that she was able to get some covert imagery of some of the colonies. Makeba was disturbed by what she saw.
She thought at first she should take the information and imagery to Masters-Calhoun. However, the question of whether or not she was prying into affairs she should not have been arouse within her. Makeba decided that she would have an off the record conversation with the one person that she could actually call somewhat of a friend, Commander O Flannagain. She exhaled sharply through her nose as she pushed the chime to the Ready Room.
"Enter." Called out Quinn. He was not expecting anyone at the moment. He was doing some research on the Jutrai. Since they where going ankles deep in helping this sub cultural race of the Romulan Empire, he felt that he could do, is learn all that he could about them.
Makeba entered the room and for a brief moment was taken aback by the site of Commander O Flannagain surrounded by Captain Malbrooke's belongings. She came to attention in front of the desk as this was going to be a formal report. "Commander O Flannagain sir. I have some interesting findings on the Jurtrai." She placed a PADD on the desk.
"It's Captain O Flannagain, naval tradition states the CO of a vessel, regardless of rank is referred to as Captain." Quinn said, slightly annoyed. Not at her, but at the alarming rate of crew that seemed to have forgotten that tradition. First Paul Michael, now Makeba Brown.
"My apologies Captain..." Makeba was not one for tradition and she knew that the official protocol was to address by rank. However, she was not going to get in an argument. What she had to report was too important. "...If you have a look at the Intel reports there you can see that they are building up quite a stockpile of weaponry. Most of it is Romulan in make. However, it strikes me as odd that a race who wants to distance themselves from the lack of trust of their cousins would build this large a cache of weapons. And due it covertly..."
Quinn felt that he needed to set the record straight with the crew. That battle would have to be fought on another day. Right now, he had more pressing issues to tend too. Makeba had brought him a report, one that was a bit troubling. "I can see that, are they stockpiling to sell them or to use them?" Quinn asked out loud. He did not expect an answer. He was trying to process what he was reading.
"From what we can tell it is for their own usage. We have overheard some chatter about them taking some of the systems that the Empire can no longer manage. In fact their fleet is made up of old Romulan vessels. I just wonder if they are cousins, or kissing cousins as it were." Makeba hoped that Quinn heeded her warning here. She rarely came to him with anything so she hoped that he would understand how important this was to her.
"The state of the empire is fragile to say the least, its hard to get good intelligence, with Starfleet's more passive nature and tending to our own borders, I am honestly not sure. I am reasonably confident that you probably have a better assessment of the current political makeup of what remains of the Romulan Star Empire, and her people." Quinn suggested to her, knowing that her ties into Intelligence, gave her more clearances than it did for him.
Quinn hated the passive nature of Starfleet. Ever since the synth attack, the ideological perspective of the Federation as been isolation and non interference. This had not always been the case. They use to be more helpful, but after the attack, Starfleet was convinced to change their policies in order to protect the Federation.
"From what we are seeing at the moment it is that these Jutrai simply want a shot a joining the galactic stage. They have been in the shadow of Romulus all of this time. However, I am wary as they annex more and more of the former Empire. Are the Jutrai simply building their own Empire? Replacing one enemy with another as it were. I feel we need is more information. Continue the first contact scenario but keep them at arms length until we have more. In the meantime with your permission I will continue to monitor their chatter. Simply put I do not trust them..." Makeba let her voice trail off as she realized that a short time ago she was the one who was not trusted.
"For the time being continue, please be discreet about it." Quinn advised Makeba. Quinn had a slightly concerned look on his face. The last thing he needed was an intergalactic incident on his hands. After Makeba's transformation. He wanted to believe in her. When she asked him to continue her investigations.
"Aye sir! But from the looks of it, it seems that we have gone from the proverbial frying pan and into the fire. In truth I do not think they mean any harm just yet. But I feel it best that we be ready for anything." Makeba hoped that Quinn realized she attempted to do what he asked. He wanted her to be a part of the crew and here she was doing her job.
"And I agree, I just want to make sure we are use tact as much as possible. We do not want to provoke the Jutrai." Quinn suggested to Makeba. He knew that she would understand. But it still had to be said.
"Agreed sir... It is definitely a whole new ballgame." Makeba said with a smile.
"Keep me apprised of your progress." Quinn said, as he stood up and then started to walk her towards the door. "Dismissed." Quinn said.
As she stepped back into the corridor Makeba thought that went better than she expected. She only hoped that the Commander's belief was correct. That the Jutrai were not doing anything sinister just coming out of their cousin's shadow. Well back to the belly of the beast. Makeba thought as she headed back to the SCIF.
A joint post by;
Commander Quinn Ó Flannagáin
Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Makeba Brown
HUMINT Agent, USS Pioneer
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