Reporting Aboard

Posted on Mon Oct 25th, 2021 @ 1:38pm by Captain Maia Sterling & Lieutenant Commander Sheena Toran-Blake & Commander Ryan Blake & Lieutenant Marina Tanger

Mission: The Riixian Insurection
Location: Captains Ready Room
Timeline: 239509.11

{ON}

With a visit to Sickbay over, Marina was escorted to the Captain’s Ready Room by a security detail that had come suitably armed to the teeth. Pressing the chime the detail stayed with as she waited for the call to enter and speak with Captain Sterling.

"Enter" The Captain said.

As Marina and her security escort entered the ready room Marina stood in front of the desk, even though she had been on suspension from her fleet duties she kept her demeanour as expected for a Starfleet Officer greeting a Captain. “Marina Monroe reporting as ordered Captain.”

"Welcome aboard Lieutenant Monroe. May I present my First Officer Lieutenant Commander Sheena Toran, and my Second Officer and chief of Strategic Operations Lieutenant Commander Ryan Blake, and my Chief Intelligence Officer Lieutenant Jace Wynn. I always have my command staff present to meet new crew members and I think you will find that are quite professional and experienced officers." Maia stated.

Marina nodded politely. She still wasn’t used to being back in her uniform along with a fresh rank, it seemed her junior Lieutenant pip had been pending when she was suspended. “Just to make things clear, I may have differing views when it comes to Betazed and Betazoids like me, but all I ever wanted was to make things better. I know I’m going to have to earn trust around here.”

"Can you state for the record what your mission was before we pulled you off that ship"? Maia asked.

Marina looked at those gathered. “The mission was for a group of chosen telepaths, myself included, to disable the crew of the Leto. This group has been together for years, I’ve been training to use my abilities in...shall we say nefarious ways?...since I was a child, due to the fact that my abilities are stronger than most Betazoids. My adoptive parents are very much into protecting the rights of those on Betazed, and making it strong for future generations.” She paused. “There are those that would willingly kill for this cause, I don’t believe in killing. I’ve also just learned that I have a twin brother, and he’s serving on this ship.”

"Can you tell us anything about the telepresence amplifiers we found aboard all three ships?" Maia asked.

Marina shook her head. “I don’t know how they work, what I do know is that they’re used to link us together. I’ve been training for years for all this, only the strongest of us were chosen.”

Do you know anything about the biogenic weapon the Caliphate is planning to use on Betazed if they don't get their way? Maia asked.

Marina frowned. “Biogenic weapon!?” She shook her head. “I honestly don’t know anything about that Captain, the people I’m with wouldn’t do that! We’re not murderers. Hell my...adoptive parents are amongst the people you have in the brig, they’ll tell you.”

Maia looked at Sheena and Ryan.

"Do you think our Intel was wrong? Could it have been wrong?" Maia asked.

Marina jumped in. “Your Intel could be right, they don’t tell us everything. The Caliphate are extremely cautious, and secretive. I’m just an expendable body to them, something I’ve just come to realise.”

"Ah I see so you simply infiltrated a Caliphate terrorist cell to find out what you could but they are pretty well organized and kept information between cells on a need to know basis. Very clever. Do you know anything about how they acquired the equipment for your cell then?" Maia asked.

Marina paused for a moment. “I didn’t have to infiltrate, I was raised as part of the caliphate.” She hung her head. “My adoptive parents have been members of various organisations since I was little.” She looked up at Maia. “They’re good people, they just have powerful beliefs. As for the equipment it was sourced wherever members of the various cells could get it, they have members in high places. As for weapons...” she paused again. “You’re looking at one. Not just me, but the children, grandchildren, and family members of every Caliphate member. They’ve had us in training since we developed our abilities.” Marina said.

"If that's the case why did you switch sides?" Maia asked.

Ryan had quietly observed Marina from the moment she had entered the Captain's Ready Room. He was not entirely convinced that she had changed sides. The woman had grown up within the Riixxian Caliphate's sphere of influence, raised to believe in a certain way politically and philosophically. "More basic question would be...have you changed sides."

Marina shot Ryan a glance that if it had been possible could quite literally have killed. “I didn’t have to be here Commander! I could have chosen to keep my mouth shut and stayed with the others in the brig!!” She paused and took a deep breath. “The main reason I chose to help you is because I found someone I didn’t expect to find. I’ve spent my adult life knowing I was adopted, my parents never hid that from me. I never expected to find out that I had a...twin brother. Kasey Tanger is my twin brother, that means something to me. Besides my adoptive parents are sitting in the brig as well, that gives me reason to do what I need to do, to ensure their safety that means working with all of you.”

Ryan was nonplussed by Marina's expression directed at him. He didn't know her personally, though he'd read through her service history. "I don't mean to offend you Lieutenant, but your willingness to work with us to secure safety for your family is not the issue. Allow me to rephrase. Are you a Starfleet Officer who intends to honor your oath of service?"

Marina paused before answering the question. “I swore my oath the same as everyone else here, I maybe outspoken but I will honour that oath.”

Ryan took a deep breath as he looked at Marina. She had used her abilities to telepathically attack members of the Leto’s crew in an effort to compromise the safety of the ship. Would she face changes? That was up to the Captain. He finally just nodded at Marina.

Marina sat massaging her temples, she had a thumping headache. “So what now Captain?” Marina looked at Sterling.

"I want to have our doctor check you out for any anomalies. You will report to sick bay and let Doctor Hendon run a full physical on you."

Marina opened her mouth to object but the pounding headache she had said otherwise, “Yes Captain”

"After that if you can remember anything report back here and we will try to work it out. Number one Mr Blake do you have any questions for miss Monroe?"

"The only question is, are you willing to help in keeping the Betazoid people in remaining in the Federation?" Sheena said.

Marina nodded. “Yes I’m willing, I want what’s best for Betazed but not forced like this.” Marina said.

"Do you have any suggestions as to defeat the Caliphate?"

Marina paused. “The only way you’ll defeat them is to pull them apart from the inside out. If you take their leader, then you take the spearhead for the entire movement.”

"Do you know who the leader is?" The Captain asked.

“I know him” Marina nodded. “He’s very well protected, the only people that see him are his top people and the women he chooses for his harem. Let’s just say he’s a man who gets around, the women he chooses are chosen for their level of ability, the Caliphate needs loyal followers, and what better way to have strong members than to breed them? His words not mine!” She sighed.

"Seems logical, especially with building a movement like this." Maia said.

“Like I said I know him” Marina nodded. “I’m one of his chosen harem. When you’re chosen you don’t get to refuse.”

"You are free of him now, Marina." Maia replied.

Marina nodded. “Maybe so, but if you want to get to him I have to go back there, don’t I?”

"You wont be alone in that" Maia replied.

[End]

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A post by:

Captain Maia Sterling
Commanding Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

Lieutenant jg Marina Monroe
Infiltration Specialist
USS Leto NCC-80916

Lieutenant Commander Ryan Blake
Chief Strategic Operations/Second Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916