We meet again

Posted on Tue Nov 16th, 2021 @ 5:17am by Lieutenant Marina Tanger & Commander Ryan Blake & Lieutenant Emily Coleman
Edited on on Wed Nov 17th, 2021 @ 1:35am

Mission: The Thorion Conundrum Mission Brief
Location: Ryan's Office in the Strategic Operations Center
Timeline: After the staff meeting

{ON}

With the meeting over Marina followed Ryan out of the room, she knew he had doubts as to whether she really meant what she’d said in the meeting, not that she could blame him. “Commander may I talk to you...in private?”

Ryan stopped, his back to Marina. He hadn't seen or heard from her since their graduation from the Academy years ago. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly before nodding. He motioned for her to follow him as he spoke to the security guard that was her escort. "Grab a cup of coffee crewman, you can come to the SOC in 20 minutes to escort the Lieutenant back to quarters then."

The rating nodded as they boarded the turbolift and got off one deck before them. Ryan remained quiet as they finished their walk to his office in the Strategic Operations Center on the Diplomatic Deck. He gestured to the small couch in his office as he went to the replicator. "One coffee, Columbian blend, black and one..."

“Mixed Fruit juice please” Marina smiled politely. “It’s been a long time Ryan, I’m sorry about kicking your ass back on the Betazoid ship! Guess it proves I still have it in me to do it!” She grinned. “Though you did get the upper hand, or rather the rifle butt in the face, in the end.” She massaged her forehead. “I’m still suffering from that wallop you gave me.”

Ryan brought her drink and handed it to her before taking a sip of his coffee. He was silent for a moment, not returning her smile, as he studied her expression and general body language. "That is a first. You were never sorry for handing me my ass during sparing sessions in the gym back at the Academy."

Marina smiled again as she remembered the happier days back at the Academy. “My parents always taught me it’s better to be strong, than to be weak. I had things I wanted to prove back then, and I wanted to make my parents proud of me.”

Ryan shook his head. Marina was, without a doubt, the most stubborn woman he had ever met. She had strived for perfection in courses. She had been top of her class in the Intelligence track program and she one of the most skilled unarmed combat student. "Why are you trying to get Betazed to leave the Federation? Didn't the Academy teach you how we are stronger together than apart."

“It’s not...” Marina paused. “It’s not me Ryan, my parents have believed in a better future for Betazed ever since I was little. I can remember them attending meetings as far back as the Academy, the Caliphate have spent a very long time planning what they’re doing now. My training started as soon as I developed my abilities, I can do things other Betazoids would only dream of!” She realised she was sounding just like other Caliphate members trying to coax others to their cause. “I guess I...just grew up believing in what my parents believed.”

Ryan looked away, his mind traveling back to memories of the Academy and their time together. Two years they had dated. He had been prepared to propose to her at the post-graduation party but two of their fellow graduates did so before he got the chance. He had almost done it later that night when they got to the hotel room. He had decided to wait until morning, but though they had fallen asleep in one another's arms, she had been gone when he woke up the next morning.

Ryan turned back to her. "I tried to find you. I spent my first year at Starbase 51 looking for you. Even my father couldn't couldn't find out where you were and he was Deputy Chief of Staff for Admiral Carter." Pain and anger etched his face.

Marina frowned. “I didn’t know that, I went straight to where I was assigned. I wasn’t told you were looking for me, and I never received any communications from you.” She shook her head. “Why would anyone want to keep us apart?”

Ryan didn't have the answer to Marina's question. He had spent a year following their graduation just trying to find her to no avail. "Perhaps someone got wind of your political beliefs or those of your parents and decided that...our relationship would have compromised Federation Security." He sighed, not really sure what the answer was.

“I’m sorry Ryan, you know how much I loved you. The reason I left without saying goodbye was because I couldn’t face it!” Marina hung her head. “I did send you subspace messages, I thought you’d moved on. So much has happened here, finding you and learning that I have a twin brother! I want to get to know Kasey, he’s what’s left of my true family.”

Ryan wasn't sure what to believe. "Don't try and play on my emotions Marina. You attacked two Starfleet officers, your ships fired on two Starfleet vessels on a diplomatic mission to your homeworld. I am not sure what to believe about you anymore."

“If anyone knows me you do Ryan” Marina moved closer, her hand gently touching his. After all this time she still cared, she always had. She leant a little closer hoping that their old connection was still there.

Ryan held up his hands and stopped her. His expression conveying no desire to be touched, much less kissed. "You did get one thing right. I have moved on."

Marina nodded and sat back again, “Fair enough, you want me to tell you what the Caliphate do to their trainees?” Her expression changed as she recalled her own training. “It all starts off nice enough, mind training, learning to control your abilities to the max, how to focus those abilities, to use them to your advantage. Then comes the solo confinement, learning to cope being alone for long periods of time, the there's sleep deprivation, being shot up with mind blowing drugs just to see whether you go insane or not!” She frowned. “Do you know how many never made it? Too many! Only the strongest of us survive, and up until now I’ve never had reason to question it. So you want to know where my loyalties lie? I DON’T KNOW!!” She stood up and paced back and forth for a few moments rubbing her temples. She had a headache which wasn’t helping matters.

Ryan's expression softened as he watched her pace and rant. He couldn't imagine what her life must have been like. It sounded like mental and behavioral conditioning. He gestured to the couch again. "Have a seat." He tapped his commbadge. =/\=Lieutenant Coleman would you please come to the Strategic Operations Center please.=/\=

=/\= Coleman here, I will be there in about ten minutes. =/\= Coleman replied to her call to SOC.

Marina took a seat and looked at Ryan curiously, “Who is Lieutenant Coleman, what does she do?”

Ryan leaned against his desk. "Lieutenant Coleman is a Counselor. She has helped me work through a few issues I have had. Perhaps she could help you."

About six or seven minutes later, Coleman arrived at SOC. "Hello Commander. How can I be of assistance?" Emily states as she stepped in the room and her half Betazoid abilities sensed Monroe's mind in a stage of wonder.

Marina offered Coleman a polite smile, the best she could muster under the current circumstances. It didn’t help that she had missed a booster of the performance enhancements that the Caliphate usually kept its members topped up on. In truth it was more to ensure loyalty.

"Thank you for coming. I am going to leave you two talk." Ryan pushed off from his desk.

“Ryan...” Marina watched as Ryan stood before looking back at Emily and offering a polite smile. “I get the feeling I’ve just been set up. I’m Marina by the way, ex-terrorist and Caliphate member.

"Great to meet you, Marina." Coleman replied. "I am Lieutenant Emily Coleman, I am a counselor on the Leto. Commander Blake talked with me ahead of time to come see you and figure out how we can best help you reacclimate to Starfleet life and get you on track to benefit from being back on a ship. So can you tell me how you are finding the life on our ship so far?" Coleman asked of Monroe.

“So far...” Marina paused. “I’m...lost.” She gave Emily a brief smile. “I find out that I’ve got a twin brother I never knew I had, that my real parents are dead, and that my adoptive parents raised me to believe in a cult.” She shook her head. “To say I’m confused is an understatement.”

"I do understand you have had your whole existence discombobulated. This must be really awkward for you." Coleman replied. "I am here for you. Lieutenant Tanger has known that his parents held a secret and he is also feeling a little awkward because of you. But he has stated he will work with you and guide you to redeem yourself in the eyes of the Federation and Starfleet. He is also willing to do what he can to help you get an understanding of the life you should have had if you were raised as his sister with your parents."

Marina smiled. “I can’t ask for anything better, just finding out I have a twin brother is completely amazing! Kasey has become my guiding light. I am torn as to what to do with my surname, I’ve been a Monroe since I was little, but my real surname should be Tanger. I’m wondering whether I should change surname to add in Tanger, or what to do! I don’t want to hurt my adoptive parents feelings.”

Ryan entered his office with a security guard in tow. He glanced at Emily. "Sorry to interrupt, but...the guard is here to escort Mar...Lieutenant Monroe to the brig.

“Great, looks like I’m back to my cell. Be nice if I could get quarters instead.” Marina sighed as she looked towards Ryan, before looking back at Emily.

"I am sure sooner than later, your worth to Starfleet will be seen and they will understand you are worthy of rejoining the ranks." Coleman replied. "Your session just now was positive and that will be reflected in my reports."

Ryan stood in the doorway to his office. He had an intense look of concentration. He turned to the guard. "I am ordering the release of Lieutenant Monroe's parents from the brig. Bring them to the VIP quarters. They will remain under house arrest there pending their return to Betazed. Inform Lieutenant Brannon that two security guards will be placed outside the quarters."

The guard opened his mouth to speak, but reconsidered, simply nodding before heading off.

Ryan turned to Marina, but spoke to Emily. "Thank you Counselor. I will see you later for our appointment."

[B]Emily tag[/b]

His eyes remained on Marina. "You and your parents will be restricted to quarters unless under escort to meet with the Captain, Medical or some other person required by the mission. The replicator will be disabled, meals will be brought to you. Any attempt to escape and I will see to it you and your parents are placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the transit to Betazed. Clear?"

“Crystal Commander” Marina nodded. “Thank you.”

Ryan simply nodded once. He gestured. "I will escort you to quarters then."

Marina nodded and stood ready to leave. “Thank you for everything you’re doing for me, I promise you that you won’t regret it.”

Ryan took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Ryan wanted to believe her, for old times sake, if for no other reason. "I will hold you to that promise."

{OFF}

Lieutenant jg Marina Monroe
Starfleet officer
USS Leto

&

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

&

Lieutenant Emily Coleman (NPC: Tanger)
Counselor
USS Leto, NCC-80916