Not so friendly warning

Posted on Sun Nov 28th, 2021 @ 7:56pm by Captain David Blake & Lieutenant Marina Tanger

Mission: The Riixian Insurection
Location: Monroe's Temporary Quarters

David marched up to the door and nodded at the security guard stationed outside the door. He gave the guard a single nod before keying in the code to unlock the door and walk in unannounced. He glanced at Marina's parents and pointed to the bedroom door. "Leave us. Now."

Marina watched as her adoptive parents walked into the bedroom, before looking back at Blake. “What can I do for you Captain? It’s pretty obvious you’re upset with me, so just come out and say what you have to say.”

David was more than upset. He was furious. Here was the young woman he had sent on a mission more than four years ago, now working with a group of xenophobic Betazoids in an attempt to force the government of Betazed to secede from the Federation. "What were you doing in my son's quarters?"

“Not that it’s any of your business Sir, but...I was paying him a visit.” Marina paused. “I had an apology to make. Why do you ask?”

"You are on very thin ice Lieutenant." David took a deep breath to calm himself. "I told you four years ago that you were needed for a deep cover operation."

Marina shook her head grinning a wry grin. “Deep cover...so deep I was chosen for a harem! I had a daughter I never see!” She didn’t mention the fact that she was pregnant again. “You saw to it I was posted away from Ryan! You knew damn well I was in love with him!!”

David had been quite aware of his son's relationship with the woman before him more than four years ago. He had even known of Ryan's plans to propose. "Your point Lieutenant?"

Marina frowned, “My point!?” She sighed. “You could have chosen any woman you wanted, someone more experienced than I was! No...you chose me!” She glared at him. “You knew didn't ’t you? You knew Ryan was in love with me!? Did you know he planned to ask me to marry him?”

David scoffed and nodded. He knew a great many things. Especially about the young woman before him. "Of course I knew. I was not about to let my son marry a woman with ties to Betazoid terrorists. I also know that a year into your mission you stopped sending reports. I knew that your parents or the charismatic leader of the Caliphate would turn you. What did you think when you were captured earlier? You would turn on the Caliphate to get into Starfleet and my son's good graces. That all would be forgiven? That Ryan would leave Sheena to marry you, be a father for your daughter...," he gestured at her mid section, "...and the unborn child you now carry?"

“How did you?...” She nodded her head. “You looked at my medical records. For your information Sir, I have NO intention of coming between Ryan and his fiancée! All I want is to be friends, nothing more. He’s moved on, and I will do nothing else to hurt him. Does he know it was you that sent me away?”

David sighed. He was growing weary of this young woman's insolence. "Your mission was classified need to know. Ryan had no need to know. Now I want you to listen and listen carefully to what I am about to say. Are you capable of doing that...Lieutenant?"

Marina took a deep breath. “Yes Sir, I can do that.”

David studied her expression for a moment. "I can see to it that your parents sentence for treason against Betazed is commuted, providing they accept exile to Earth. I can also ensure that you are fully reinstated with Starfleet Intelligence. I will even allow you the privilege of choosing your own assignment." He let his words linger in the air, an obvious quid pro quo to be fulfilled.

“With due respect Sir” Marina paused. “I want to serve here aboard the Leto. I have a twin brother I knew nothing of until now. I promise that I will not interfere with Ryan’s life. He has someone now and I won’t get in the way of that.”

"I will consider your request." David's expression indicated he had more. "I want the name of the Caliphate leader. He has proven elusive in positively identifying. You will also provide every location the Caliphate uses. Betazed security forces will coordinate with Starfleet Tactical Response to capture or neutralize every cell in their network."

Marina nodded. “I’ll give you what I can Sir. The Leader goes by a single name, we know him as Andreas. Whether that’s his true name I have no idea. He’s one of the most difficult men to read I’ve ever met, his abilities are practically off the scale! I tried getting into his head while he was sleeping, his mental defences are astounding!” She sighed. “He only trusts one person that I’ve seen, probably because that person is his son. As for locations I only know of two or three, none of which are where he keeps the children. He uses the strongest women in the Caliphate as his harem, they bear his children. The future of the Caliphate as he calls them, my daughter is amongst them.”

David stroked his chin as his mind worked the issue. The leader of the Caliphate was not prone to making mistakes, but a thought crossed David's mind that might shed light on the issue. "Your unborn child? Is Andreas the father?"

Marina sighed as she rested her hand on her stomach and nodded. “When I was assigned to infiltrate the Caliphate, I wasn’t planning on becoming a concubine for Andreas. I had to, to avoid suspicion. You don’t say no to him, it’s too much of an honour to be chosen!” She shook her head. “I should have gotten out there and then.”

"It's actually fortunate that you didn't." David gave a gesture to her. "Your unborn child is the key to getting a positive id on this man who calls himself Andreas."

Marina nodded. “Of course! The baby carries his, or her father’s DNA. We can find out who he really is!” She smiled before her smile faded. “If he finds out about me...” She sighed. “Anyway, he’ll be getting suspicious I’m going to have to have a fool proof alibi when I return there. I take it you do want me to go back?”

David nodded. A positive identification would allow Betazed and Starfleet Security Forces to finally take down the head of the snake. "Let your parents know they can come out of the bedroom."

Marina nodded, walking over to the bedroom She motioned to her parents that they could come out now.

David motioned for Marina to fall in with him as he exited the quarters. He didn't tell her where they were going.