Finding a New Home

Posted on Fri May 6th, 2022 @ 6:41pm by Captain David Blake & Lieutenant Commander Ryan Blake & Lieutenant JG Marina Tanger
Edited on on Sat May 7th, 2022 @ 5:48pm

Mission: The Riixian Insurection
Location: Ryan’s office

{ON}

Marina stood in Ryan's office along with Ryan and his father. She's requested a meeting with them both to finally get an answer as to what her future would be, and to clear the air about her role within the whole Caliphate mess. She looked towards Ryan's father.

"Captain, I think it's time we cleared the air. I want my part in this officially on record, so I'm not forever labelled as a prior traitor to Starfleet."

David was sitting at Ryan’s desk with his son standing to the side of the desk. He had completed reading the after action reports of several offices for the mission, including his son's and the woman standing before him. "Very well Lieutenant Monroe. I assume you now wish to remain aboard the USS Leto for the foreseeable future?"

Marina nodded, "Yes Sir I would, and from now on it's Marina Tanger, just as I was always meant to be."

Ryan looked at his father for a moment. He wasn't exactly sure what the elder Blake man would do.

David gave Marina a long look before letting out a sigh. "Very well Lieutenant Monroe. I will have the assignment orders cut for you. Now, if there's nothing eles...." David rose from the chair with an intention of concluding the discussion.

"I would also like to know why you purposely assigned me away from Ryan all those years ago?" She looked towards Ryan, then back at his father. "You knew I loved him, yet you purposely took me away from him."

Ryan felt conflicted about the question. He had wondered about it himself for a couple of years. He had finally moved on and had met Sheena. It had been a difficult mission finding out that Marina had been sent into a deep cover mission to act as a double agent against the Caliphate.

David took a deep breath before answering. "You were the only asset Starfleet Intelligence had that could pull off the mission. We weren't even sure you'd not be turned. Honestly, there was only a 15% chance that this outcome was going to happen." H gestured at her. "You made the conscious choice to join Starfleet. You knew that the Intelligence track was demanding. You could have resigned your commission. You also knew what was at stake. You want to blame me? Fine. Understand something. I do not have to answer to you and I won't ever regret sending you on that mission...ever."

Marina nodded. “I guess you’re right, I could have refused but at the time I wanted to prove my worth. As for being turned, I guess ...” She paused. “There was a period of time when I almost was. All the training, the psychological manipulation, the drugs ...” she paused. “Then when the Leto came and I met Kasey, and I saw you again.” She looked at Ryan. “It helped to remind me where my heart truly lay, they still have Aurora and I’m going to find her! I can’t do that alone.”

Ryan nodded. "We'll find your daughter."

Marina nodded. “Thank you Ryan” she sighed. “I’m also going to need Lieutenant Hendon’s help, My body is used to the cocktail of control drugs the Caliphate used. It’s starting to wear off of my system, and without more ...” She shrugged her shoulders. “Let’s just say cold turkey is gonna be hell.”

David looked from Marina to his son. "I am heading down to Betazed. Your mother and I still have a few issues to wrap up with the government and will probably be here another week." He turned to Marina. "I hope you find your daughter."

Marina nodded. “Thank you Sir. Before you go .. I take it I’m cleared to stay onboard the Leto?”

David nodded his head. He wasn't fond of the idea, but he had no viable objection he could muster considering the circumstances. "Consider yourself on temporary duty assignment until the official orders are cut for you within the next few days."

“Thank you Sir!” Marina grinned. She could barely wait to tell Kasey that she’d be staying onboard. She waited for David to leave before turning to Ryan. “For what it’s worth ... I loved you with all my heart Ryan. At least now you know why I disappeared like I did, I wasn’t permitted to contact you.”

Ryan's first thought was of Sheena and his relationship with her. He gave a slight sigh. "I...know. I felt the same way and it wasn't easy, thinking you had left me the way it happened. As much as I still care about you, I am in love with Sheena. I am going to ask her to marry me."

Marina nodded. "I'm not going to interfere with your relationship Ryan, as much as I still love you, I have no right to do that." She offered a warm smile. "I'd like us to be friends though, if you're happy with that?"

Ryan extended his right hand to Marina. "I would like that."

Marina smiled as she took his hand. “So would I, very much so.”

Ryan returned her smile. He was relieved to know she was OK. Part of him would always miss what they had, but he was a different person now, both personally and professionally. "I will see you tomorrow Marina. I have a few after action reports to review before calling it a day. Take care."

Letting go of Ryan's hand Marina nodded. "You too Ryan, I'll see you around."


END SCENE

Lieutenant, junior grade Marina Tanger
Infiltration Specialist
Starfleet Intelligence Command

Captain David Blake
Chief of Staff
Starfleet Office of Strategic Operations

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