Secrets and Answers

Posted on 11 Aug 2017 @ 12:09pm by Lieutenant Commander Geraldine "Geri" Severide

1,247 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Errand of Mercy
Location: Intelligence Hub

The situation area of the Intelligence hub remained abuzz with activity following the ambush by the three unidentified vessels. Once the barrage was completed and the Redemption had easily disposed of the rag tag task group, the analysts of the Redemption's intelligence department began sweeping through sensor logs, fleetwide darabases, anything that could provide a clue as to whom attacked the Redemption and perhaps why.

Lieutenant Commander Severide had her theories as to the identity of the attackers, but that's why she had analysts, to make theories fact. She was almost certain the sixth fleet were responsible but the burning question on her mind was why. Why attack the USS Shogun? Now why the Redemption? She tapped her fingers on the desk as she contemplated the riddle. If the answers did not reveal themselves in the data, she would have to outsource the task. Old friends whom owed her debts of services rendered, she could call on them to expand the net of her investigation. For now the reliance would lay upon her team in the other room.

Her door was soon occupied by one of her analysts with a PADD in hand.

"What is it?" Geri stated sharply eyeing down the man before her as she leaned back into the chair awaiting his reply.

The man stepped forward sliding the PADD across Geri's desk. He cleared his throat hinting at nervousness before he spoke. "Ma'am, we have identified the origin of the ships that attacked us. A full dossier is included on the PADD."

Geri reached forward retrieving the PADD bringing it up to her face. The PADD contained information on the ship dating as far back as to when they were originally commissioned by Starfleet. It continued on to state when the ships were retired and an incident involving their thefts. For the most part, nothing contained in the dossier was overly surprising however the facts needed to be confirmed. "Is this all you have?" she asked looking back up at the analyst.

"Actually ma'am, no. During the firefight, one of the encryption specialists were able to hack into the vessel's databases and retrieve fragments of information regarding their mission. It seems as though these ships were after some highly classified information regarding some type of foreign being. The occupants of the vessels were under the impression someone on the Redemption was privy to this information. They were sent to retrieve it." The analyst replied.

Geri set down the PADD giving the man a curious look as he had peaked her interest, she also began to wonder exactly how much he had learned and if she would be required to jettison him out an airlock after the conversation ended. "Do we know whom that target was?" she inquired.

"No ma'am, the ships were destroyed or too heavily damaged to maintain the uplink. We are hoping that once given approval, we could work on the remaining vessel and perhaps gain access to their database." he replied.

Secretly, Geri knew that would not be acceptable and may infact trigger an irrational response from Marshall whom she was sure was being targeted. She gave no tell of worry or really any emotion to the analyst and she sensed no change in the man's emotional state since he entered her office. Her team was in the dark, but it was for their own good. "I will speak to the Captain, but frankly we are going to need more then this. It doesn't even tell me who ordered the attack."

"My apologies ma'am." The analyst stated secretly cursing himself for missing such a vital detail, especially given his boss' reputation. "The ships are part of the sixth fleet's intelligence division headed by someone known only by a call sign Viper."

Geri's heart sank and her jaw would have dropped if she did not want to let on to the man before her that she was intimately familiar with the man named Viper. She instantly felt her blood boil as she became angered once again by the limitless bounds her father's treachery seemed to extend upon. She began to question if her father was now simply an overly glorified mercenary selling his loyalty to the highest bidder. It seemed to her as he got older, he became more and more irrational and more and more pathetic. She longed for the day she could vaporize him with a phaser....then again that would be to quick.

The analyst became confused by Commander Severide's sudden silence. He pondered if the mention of Viper had triggered something or if perhaps she knew the true identity of the man behind the mask. One way or another, he wouldn't be the one to interrogate her, atleast not directly. "We are uncertain at this time exactly who Viper is, but we are searching through ever Starfleet database.

Geri knew his efforts would be futile. Admiral West had done his due diligence to erase the existence of the elder Severide. Now she had to inform him that once again, he was a thorn in the Admiral's side. She sighed as the thought of chasing her wayward parent weighed upon her. "This is hardly worth a briefing for the Commanding Officer. I need more, I need you to focus on determining where these ships came from, perhaps then we can find the base of operations or another breadcrumb. Find where that ship has been and report back to me." she ordered.

The analyst found himself puzzled by the request. Why did she not want him focusing on the perpetrator of the attack or even what they were after. Someone on the Redemption crew was in grave danger and all she cared about was knowing where the ship came from? "Ma'am, with all due respect would you not rather know what the attackers were after?"

"Did I stutter?" she said looking up to him with fury in her eyes. She did not want him meddling in the case of Jon Marshall nor inadvertently alerting him that anyone was on to him. Knowing her luck, this man would get himself killed and Marshall would become a ghost. She needed her team to follow her orders. "I want that location Petty Officer, I won't ask again." she commanded sternly as she continued the stare down.

"Yes ma'am." he replied without further resistance. His acceptance of the order did not insinuate he was comfortable with the decision nor entirely convinced she was telling him everything. Although it was not his place to question the Chief Intelligence Officer, if there was sensitive information to be protected, they could approach the situation more delicately or she could simply take the investigation upon herself. One way or another Captain Ashcart would know. He nodded respectfully to Geri turning about returning to the main room.

Geri scowled at the man's back as he walked away. The situation was becoming more complicated then she had originally anticipated and soon she feared it would force her hand. Control was not something Geri willingly relinquished. She once again picked up the PADD and began to prepare a brief for Ashcart. For him, there would be more information then what her analyst provided but not as revealing as that which she would provide to Admiral West whom would be briefed prior.

Geri tapped her console sending a request for communication with Admiral West. Running her hand through her flowing blonde hair, she knew this was going to be a long day.

 

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