Truths and Harder Answers
Posted on Thu May 23rd, 2024 @ 4:58am by Commander Steven Greco & Lieutenant Commander Keishara Davaris
Edited on on Thu May 23rd, 2024 @ 4:59am
2,412 words; about a 12 minute read
Mission:
Year One: Whispers in the Wind
Location: USS Moore - Ready Room and Security Chief's Office
Timeline: MD 36: 1130 hrs
Commander Greco moved to take a seat across the captain's desk as they watched on the console the feed from Commander Davaris' office. He was anxious to hear the questioning of the disgraced admiral and his explanation for his actions. He glanced, stone faced, at the captain. He could only imagine the questions going through the Vulcan's mind.
Kei's office was its often usual pristine place. Everything had its place and it was pretty devoid of pictures and touchy feely items. Instead it had old weapons she'd picked up, trinkets from wars and battles, even some older things she'd picked up over the centuries of her life so far.
Safi was nearby setting up her own little alcove, a side of the desk really, with just a PaDD for notes. Sam was bringing Dorian over and the wait would last a little longer.
Kei looked up at the camera that would be recording the interview, and the one linked to the captain's ready room. "Link is secure captain. I have a transceiver in my ear should you want any questions asked. Mpongo does as well."
Stryvek sat with no expression, in fact his face was so expressionless that one may believe he was dead. However, his mind was awash with thoughts, questions, and even some emotions. It was unheard of for a Starfleet Admiral to take such actions. The last he had heard of an Admiral being this far out was Admiral Dougherty and the incident with the Bakuu. "Very well Commander. Proceed with the questioning." He said in response to his Second Officer. Stryvek turned to his Executive Officer, and spoke. "Now, we will learn exactly what it would take to make a man break his oath and harm thousands."
"Yes sir." Kei replied looking away and tapping a button on her desk. "Bring him in, Lieutenant Matthews."
Admiral Dorian glanced around the office as he was escorted in. If he was surprised by being brought to the Security Chief's office, he didn't show it. He nodded respectfully to both the El Aurian and the Intelligence officer as he proceeded to take his seat. He watched the room and exchanges carefully, but with an air of quiet confidence. He waited for the Lieutenant Commander to speak first, say what her intentions were.
"Take a seat Admiral." Kei said to the man as she sized him up. The Human looked seasoned, had eyes that looked like they'd seen a whole lot of bad shit and most of it he himself had a hand in. He looked tired as well, as if terrorist moon living wasn't for him. However, his beard was still well trimmed and grey hair combed back.
His clothes slightly well worn and some dirt attached but that's what happens when you hide in underground tunnels.
Looking at the PADD she had in front of her she noted from his medical check up that he was indeed who he said he was. Since the Dominion War high ranking prisoners, officers within Starfleet, were tested to see if they were changelings. Sadly, he was not.
Kei took a seat in front of him and placed the PADD face down. "Admiral, firstly could you tell me why you were down on the moon? Not exactly where you'd expect to find a decorated Starfleet Admiral."
While the questioning began it seemed that Stryvek was in another place. His thoughts dwelt upon the idea that a Starfleet Admiral such as Dorian could or would do this. Certain members of the crew state that he is betraying his uniform by thinking of turning prisoners over to the Romulans. And yet this man sits here, and they would have Stryvek give him rights. The idea disgusted him, he knew now he would have to meditate this evening to be rid of this anger.
Dorian's lips curled into the faintest of amused smiles. He wasn't rude or condescending, but he understood what the woman was expecting. "Commander, I'm not here to play games. We both know what was going on down on that moon. So, can we please get to what you really want to ask me?" His tone being direct and to the point, but calm and respectful, if a bit tired.
Greco watched the exchange with intense interest. He knew of Admiral Dorian's reputation, of course, but never had a chance to meet the man like several others of the crew. He was surprised by the warmth in Dorian's voice. He expected a level of defiance and hostility in the older man's demeanor.
The emotion from Dorian was peculiar for someone who had just been caught on a terrorist moon. Human's were usually as open as Risa pleasurers legs and this was no different but Kei found it strange he was being unusually upfront about what was going on.
"Okay sir." Kei nodded and sat down in front of him. "Why?" she said simply. "Why would a man such as yourself, a decorated war hero, revered leader and well respected man, be down on a moon that has been linked to recent terrorist attacks on Federation and Romulan targets?"
It was a simple question but she couldn't put words in his mouth, not yet. He had to implicate himself, confess by his own volition or lawfully the interview wouldn't hold up in a court of law.
They could say he was coerced, that he simply agreed with information fed to him. Giving someone who has been detained the information you know only loses you the advantage. They need to confess, trap themselves and need to be given the opportunity to lie. If found out to be lying that can be more damaging to a reputation than owning up to what you've done.
Admiral Dorian sat back in his chair and crossed his legs, getting more comfortable. He expected the question and glanced at the intelligence officer in the corner before focusing back on Keishara. “How long have you served, Commander? Fifteen years? Twenty?” He asked rhetorically. “People think the Federation began to show its age twelve years ago, which is why the Dominion attacked,” He shook his head as if to say this was an untruth. “That was only when we noticed. Twelve years ago the Dominion, twenty years ago Wolf 359, forty years ago the Cardassians and so on and so on. I have spent my career watching countless men and women in that very uniform dying to protect our Federation, upholding its values of exploration and discovery, and for what? To be forgotten and instead their memory replaced with those of diplomats who sat behind a desk their entire lives, never holding a phaser or knowing what it’s like to only eat field rations.”
Stryvek cocked an eyebrow, but this was not shock. This was the Vulcan way of saying I knew it. "At the moment it would seem that our Admiral here is simply suffering from seeing too much combat. We have to see more, but we also have to make sure that he is not setting up an insanity defense." He whispered to the XO beside him.
Greco glanced at the Captain and shook his head at his assertion. "I'm not so sure of that, Sir." He whispered back. Dorian didn't seem like a madman, or a war-mongerer. Steve had seen his share of both during the war. There was an honor and nobility to the Admiral's words, even if Steve didn't exactly agree with him, he could see his point.
"Well it is good to know that you haven't lost a flair for the dramatic Admiral. That was certainly an interesting way of not answering my question." Keishara replied. "It is a shame you associate yourself with terrorists and those that have lost their way enough to hurt innocent people. I just wonder how they managed to convince you to go along with it. I mean, this is your command code correct? How did they manage to force that out of you?" she asked.
Admiral Dorian simply held Keishara's gaze, emotionless as he took in her words. "It is," he openly admitted with an even tone, before expounding on his answer. "And for the record, Commander, I answered your question exactly. Do you think Section 31 was the only part of Starfleet doing the dirty work for it, or the Federation for that matter? Not all missions or battles are in a report, least of all the ones that would be an embarrassment to the Federation or compromise Starfleet Intelligence," he eyed the young lieutenant in the grey uniform from her corner. "You couldn't imagine the things I-my crews have done over the years, the secrets they took to their graves, in the name of Federation." At mention of his crews, Dorian's voice softened and faltered slightly as he looked down from the El-Aurian in a brief moment of grief.
With a breath he collected himself, steeling his jaw as he looked back at the woman behind the desk. "It's unfortunate that so many had to be lost, especially civilians, but I love the Federation. I have dedicated my life to it and given the lives of hundreds of people under my command to protect it. I tried, believe me I tried, to warn Starfleet Command and the Federation Council that we were unprotected for decades, I took over strategic operations for the entire fleet in the hopes I can work from within to secure our space and prevent another situation like the Dominion, but it fell on deaf ears," The admiral sighed, wearily at the situation as he remembered the debates and arguments. "But, as it were, the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
"I am more versed in the ways of the galaxy than anyone on this ship Admiral. You don't need to be the one who tells me that things happen that no-one hears about." Kei replied. "I also have no doubt that in many organisations there are sections of those who voice discontent with how things are run, the direction we are going, but that doesn't give anyone the right to murder or injure innocent parties to make a point." she added as her mind flashed back to her own father's death during her kidnap.
The kidnappers had said if he brought them money they'd give her back. They did not and shot him in front of her and kept her anyway. In her mind those that challenged power in that way, or made statements by killing people just because they could or to grab attention should rot in a holodeck reliving their own worst fears.
"You had a choice, you could have left those choices to other people, left Starfleet. You didn't and now you've left others without that choice by hiding bombs across the quadrant and killing innocents."
Keishara sighed. "I sympathise with what you've had to do sir, the things you've seen and had to get your crew to do under orders but doing this in the name of proving the Federation is fallible? Is incapable of protecting its people?" she asked. "Do you think that this proves we are unprotected when someone like yourself, a trusted and honourable man in a position of power, orchestrates a massive terror attack across many worlds using their access, their powers of protection and resources to do the opposite and create a terrorist organisation. That this shows those in power, those in charge, that they are weak and short-sighted. Where is the honour in what you've done? Why did you choose this as the path to go down? Surely there are other ways to prove your point."
Dorian looked at the floor for a moment before sighing. After a second, he looked back at the security chief. "I don't expect you to understand, Commander. There is no point in convincing you that I tried to work within the system but it fell on deaf ears," He concluded to her question on his reasoning. The Admiral glanced at Safi in the corner in quiet contemplation before looking at Davaris again. "I had only used my authorization to send the subspace transmission and to give the planets that had Romulan refugee encampments. I had nothing else to do with the plotting or attacks," he explained, an unmistakable honesty in his voice and words, the disgust at the act palpable. "Regardless, I am ready to answer for the actions of these individuals. I am the senior most officer and my actions allowed them to proceed with their plans. I take responsibility for that."
Safi had been silently taking notes. She knew better than to talk, even when Admiral Dorian shot a look or two her way. There was an aura about the man. Not one she felt drawn to by any means but she felt it was strange to see a once tall and strong man look so defeated by bureaucracy and politics.
"I fear if that was all your input Admiral they would still have moved forward without your opening of the subspace floodgates." Keishara sighed. "Your words will be noted." she gestured to Safi and then pressed a button on her desk as Sam re-entered the room. "Please escort Admiral Dorian back to his room please Lieutenant Matthews.
"He's getting a room?" Sam asked confused.
"The brig, Lieutenant." Kei shook her head as Sam immediately looked at himself in the mirror internally.
"If you would stand please Admiral and follow me sir." Sam said respectfully.
Stryvek could not believe what he heard. There simply was no logic to any of this and that fact actually sparked some anger within him. He sat stoically with his jaw clenched as he swallowed that anger. Stryvek knew that he would have to meditate this night and release all this emotion. He began to speak his voice low and even as the emotion roiled beneath. "None of this makes any sense whatsoever. As of this moment he no longer has the benefit of rank. He lost that proverbial cloak when he attacked his own people. Mr Dorian will sit in the brig until further notice."
Greco kept his thoughts about the situation to himself and simply nodded at the captain as he watched Admiral Dorian stand and be escorted back to the Brig through the console. The man didn't say a word and seemed almost congenial about the matter.