Well, That Was Unexpected - Part 3

Posted on Mon Oct 28th, 2024 @ 3:37pm by Commander Lucy Sharpe & Captain Paul Griffon & Lieutenant Paisley "mUra" F'Rar & Lieutenant Scion & Ensign Eimi Santiago

3,272 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Rescue Interruptus
Location: Observation Lounge
Timeline: MD01 - 1715

Previously...
Griffon wasn't careless and wouldn't overdose himself... at least not on purpose. To fake his own death? Now that Lucy could believe but why and why now she couldn't explain. Either way she wouldn't find any answers here and needed to inform Starfleet of the incident.

Leaving everything untouched Sharpe turned upon her heel and left the Ready Room and headed towards the observation lounge. If foul play was involved she wanted facts to present to Command along with the grim news.

Now, the continuation...

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[Main Engineering]

Down in Engineering, Paisley stood with her face buried in a PADD, assigning tickets and jobs to her team. Things were still new, and they needed to tighten the hatches and prepare for their journey. It wasn't going to be easy but now that everyone was settled, it should be at least quick.

"Alright, Flait. You're on Jeffries' duty," she said. "Ensign Sar, please start answering fix-it tickets from various departments. Take Petty Officer Williams with you," she said. "I will be on the Bridge, and then Flait and I will switch after lunch, and I'll inspect the Core," she said. "The evening Engineer did the morning check, and I did the secondary," she said, signing off with a flourish. "Alright, people, you have your assignments. Keep channel 3 open for any questions or problems. Thanks!" The Carjoran Engineer made her way out of the office as the others scurried to get their supplies and head to their worksites. She wasn't a micro-manage type, and trusted each person to do their work without issue. She arrived on the Bridge in short time, and took her spot at the Engineering console.

At her console Scion's message flashed up with instructions to head to the observation lounge along with other senior staff for an emergency meeting.

F'rar read the message as it popped up. She stood, and tapped her Comms badge. =/\= Will Ens. Sar report to the Engineering console? I have a meeting. =/\= The woman hurried quickly to the Observation lounge, sending a relay on her PADD on the way to Scion.
*Lt. Scion. Msg received. Chief Engineer reporting. See you soon!* She was informal and cheerful-or tried to be!!

"Acknowledged. Thanks," Scion replied. She was glad the Commander would take charge of the meeting so she didn't have to explain what happened.

[Science Lab/Mess]

Eimi peered at the data that scrolled onto the screen. The trip that Lazar and herself took longer than either had expected and she hoped that it continued to be fruitful. The thought of fruit, made Eimi realised she had not eaten in a while, her stomach rumbled in protest and she glanced once more at the screen and slipped out of the science lab and headed towards the mess to grab a quick bite. She pocketed Chiaki and headed out the door.

Her trip to the mess was interrupted by her personal tablet notifying of the emergency meeting in the observation lounge for all senior staff to attend.

Chiaki buzzed in her pocket to signal that there was a imporant message for her. "Tell me, Chiaki" Eimi stated as she stopped right outside the messes door.

"Hey get out of the way." someone said as they jostled her on their way into the mess.

"Sorry" Eimi stepped to the left as the beetle informed her. "Emergency meeting, observation lounge, attendance required."

Eimi shook her head and turned on her heel and bumped into someone else that was headed into the mess. "So, sorry." Eimi said as she gripped the persons arm slightly and then released it to head towards the observation lounge.

[Observation Lounge]

Paisley ducked in, smoothing out the yellow tunic and taking a quick seat. "Lt. Paisley F'rar, reporting, sir, ma'am..." she looked around the room and then set down the PADD. The Carjoran could sometimes be a little high-strung, so she took pains to calm down regularly. She took her voice down a notch. "I am excited to get started!! Anyone want anything from the Replicator?" She popped back to her feet. Coffee was necessary-ALWAYS necessary for an Engineer and she didn't like tea.

Sanitiago stepped into the Observation Lounge just as Paisley called out if anyone wanted anything, she replied cheerfully "Apple please, any type. and water." She slid into a seat and turned towards the Commander. The Ensign wondered just briefly where the Captain was.

Paisley nodded. "Coming right up," she said, and asked the replicator for the order. She handed the apple to other woman, and then replicated herself her coffee and a donut. "Enjoy your snack!" She said to Sanitiago as she sat back down. She fought an urge to tap her feet, remaining professional. The Engineer was always kinetic.

"Thank you Lieutenant." Eimi replied as she took the apple her stomach growled softly and she took a quick bite, chewed and swallowed. The science officer then picked up the the glass of water and drank.

Scion was seated at the side of the room where she had a good view of the door and those coming and going. She wanted to see the reactions when the commander gave everyone the news. She still had a hard time accepting that the captain was gone and hoped to be able to help discover what happened.

"Thank you for being so prompt," Sharpe announced as she arrived shortly having taken the moment to collect herself and stood at the head of the table. "Unfortunately our current mission is on hold, at least temporally for now." She straightened herself before delivering the next sentence: "Captain Griffon is dead."

Sharpe words startled Eimi and she almost choked. She started to cough for a few seconds and then when she got it under control she stated quietly but in a startled semi-sqeaky voice "Did you just state that the Captain is...." Eimi paused then continued "dead?" In her brain the tune Ding-dong, the witch is dead! Which old witch? The wicked witch. Ding-dong, the wicked witch is dead. started to chime over and over.

"No, way", said Ensign Wran who was the acting head of CONN.

Lieutenant Jintar sat their silently as Ensign Lazar let out a gasp.

"Amongst my people, dying doing one's duty is no greater honor", said, the Andorian, Lieutenant Lotar of security. "The Captain has had a long life and a distinguished career."

Paisley blinked. What? "Excuse me, ma'am. I think I just hallucinated. Did you say the Captain was dead?" She certainly couldn't have said Fred. That didn't make sense!! She looked around the room. Damn. "May the Prophets bless his soul," she said. Paisley wasn't fully Bajoran, but she did like her mothers' religion more than the worship of anger and power from the Cardassian side.

The Chief Intelligence Officer watched each reaction, noting vocal inflection and body language. She wanted to trust the senior staff, but someone managed to get to the Captain and a member of the crew would not be noticed. There was no telling at this point what detail might be important later. She hoped most of those in attendance could be ruled out quickly.

"So, what now?", asked Wran, his voice a touch louder than normal.

Eimi blinked took a sip of her water and set the glass back on the table her normal straight face looked pale and confused. "How did the Captain die?"

Similarly Sharpe had been watching the reactions of the senior staff to the news. She wanted to confident none of them were involved but until evidence arose she needed to keep some of the cards close to her chest.
"Unfortunately his death was confirmed by the EMH whom was called upon the discover," the now Acting Captain explained. "His cause of death is to be examined in more detail, and at this time I do not wish to speculate what has happened." She glanced around the room as they remained shocked. "Upon the unexpected loss of any officer an combined investigation by security and medical will be conducted. Scion, I'd like you to work with both to ensure no stone is left unturned."

"If the EMH confirmed his death. Someone activated it. Was anyone in the room at the time of the Captains death?" Eimi asked curiously and then met Sharpe's eyes with her own and waited for the acting Captain's response. The little interaction she had, had with the woman gave her little insight as to what type of person she was. However she seemed to be handling the current situation pretty calmly, probably more calm then she herself was feeling at the moment.

"I was speaking with the Captain when he collapsed." Scion chose to answer for herself. "He was unresponsive, so I felt time was critical and activated the EMH." He died so quickly that she was still shaken.

Paisley nodded. "I am sure you made the right call," she said, quietly. She wasn't sure what she would do in a circumstance like that, after all, so it seemed logical. "Are you ok?" She asked. She winced slightly. Paisley could be blunt, though she meant well, but didn't take into account that the other woman might not want to talk about it right now. At least, not to HER. Oh, well. Too late.

Eimi didn't reply to Scion at first even though she herself felt that Scion had done the correct thing since she had been there when the Captain had died. "What a horrible experience for you." Eimi said as she swivled in her chair to look at Scion. Eimi was not pointing fingers she had simply asked about the EMH because she had been on a colony. EMH's hadn't been available to personnel in all areas. In fact most areas. "Calling on the EMH obviously was the correct thing to do, Lieutenant."

"Thank you," Scion replied to the two women.

"Captain", Lotar said, looking up from the padd he had. "With respect, shouldn't security be in charge of the investigation?"

"Intel would like to assist, if that's okay with you," Scion said. She didn't want to step on security's toes, but intelligence did have access to information security didn't. Whether it would help with the investigation or not, she had no idea.

Y-yes, of course," Sharpe stammered slightly coming to realise her error and how odd it felt to be called Captain. "Very good."

Eimi kept her eyes on Scion. "Captain Sharpe, do we..." Eimi paused and took a deep breath "Is this..." Eimi paused and an actual small pucker formed between her eyebrows for the briefest of seconds and then smoothed once more, her face straight. "are we..." another pause, Eimi did not know exactly how to word this. Finally she blurted it out. "Was Captain Griffon murdered?"

"At this moment nothing can be ruled out," Sharpe replied with more conviction. "Which why this investigation needs to be conducted."

"Has Starfleet been advised?", Lotar asked. "I wouldn't want to over-step regulations if they have special instructions on how they want this handled."

"Yes, they'll aware of his passing." Sharpe replied. "Understandably they'll very keen to hear the findings of the investigation."

Paisley simply nodded; there was nothing an Engineer could do-unless the murder had happened in the Jeffries' tubes, she was useless as a chocolate teapot.

"Soooo..." Eimi continued, an odd quandary of a look was written on her face unsure if she should be so bold as to say this or keep it to herself. With an exasperated sigh she continued. "If we are unsure if Captain Griffon was murdered or not and Lieutenant Scion was in the room at the time. Wouldn't the Lieutenant be a suspect? Therefore she should not be involved in the investigation. Right?" Eimi's perplexed look stayed on her face as she glanced to Sharpe and then back to Scion.

Privately Sharpe applauded the Ensign's ability to speak out in such a manner, it was a shame her facial expression didn't match up with her level of courage. "We're all innocent until proven guilty," she sighed before leaning over the table. "Which is why the USS Deliverance has been dispatched to our location. She'll be taking over the relief efforts of Aramal and acting as an independent party to our investigation."

Paisley hadn't considered the implications of that. She didn't like the idea that another crew was involved in a MURDER. It put her on edge. Idly, she began to pick gently at her cuticles. "Well. Of course, we can all work together to investigate," she said. "But I think Ensign Santiago has a point...Ma'am," she said, turning to address Sharpe. "I won't be able to work well, knowing that there is a possible criminal amongst us," she said, quietly, but pointedly. Paisley wasn't prone to hysteria but she WAS a bit neurotic at times, and her past had taught her to trust people slowly.

"I understand," Sharpe nodded in reply. "I don't think any of us will be operating at peak for some time following this incident."

"I think the first thing we should do is look at the computer images from the ready room over the past 24 hours. Perhaps a team of people so no one can be accused of altering the footage," Scion suggested. "That will at least give Starfleet something to build on."

"I've already instructed AImee to compile security footage," Sharpe nodded toward Scion and Lotar. "The sooner we can conclude this investigation the better."

Again, the Engineer just nodded. This all made sense. "Anything I or my department can do to assist, just let me know. I assume we'll all be interviewed," she said.

"All those who were in a position to see or hear anything," Scion replied. At least at first. It would also depend on if the investigation was handled by them or by someone from Starfleet.
*TAG Lotar

Eimi’s out of ordinary perplexed look left her face. She truly did not understand what the heck Scion thought she was doing? The suggestion of to look at computer images could be done, however the woman was a suspect in the Captain’s death. What if Scion had already altered the footage. Did the Ensign believe that the Lieutenant had killed the Captain? No, not really. But, what if the Lieutenant had done it? Eimi took a slow, quiet deep breath. The science officer was feeling a bit at odds, her fight or flight mode had started to take over. “Captain Sharpe, perhaps Lieutenant Scion should be taken to the brig, or at the very least restricted to quarters?” Eimi was beginning to wonder what or why was no one detaining the intelligence officer. Eimi wanted to go kick the security officer in the shins. “Then perhaps, another of the crew from the Intelligence department could be summoned to assist in the investigation.”

"Ensign," Sharpe folded her arms. "I will not tolerate accusations towards Scion or anyone else without evidence," she said sternly. "Griffon's loss is a terrible tragedy but doesn't give us permission to forget our place and give into rumours." The Acting Captain looked around the table before continuing. "This investigation must be conducted thoroughly and without prejudice across security, medical and overseen with our intelligence officers before the arrival of the Deliverance." Her eyes scanned the room again: "Any objections should be logged with Captain Nairut Noxi, both her and the Deliverance will be here within the next 48 hours."

"Captain Sharpe, I mean no disrespect but Lieutenant Scion admitted to being there when the Captain passed. Is that not evidence enough to detain the Lieutenant?" Eimi was dumbfounded at Sharpe's response.

"May I make a different suggestion?" Parsley interrupted. "If containment is your issue, Ensign, send her with me. I spend much of my time in isolated places onboard the ship, doing repairs. She can tag along, be my wrench-passer," she offered. That way, Scion's privacy and dignity were intact, she was still working, and the unease they all felt would be less. "AND if anything else happens, well. The Jeffries' tubes are lockable...." it was a fun thing they sometimes did as an "ignition" for new Engineers. Spend a night "accidentally" locked in a Tube above the Captain's quarters without being found out. Mean? Yes. Hilarious? Also yes.

"Actually containment only has its merits if the Captain's death was indeed not natural in nature." Eimi sighed ever so softly as she now had to explain what she logically thought was a clear cut put the puzzle pieces together type thing. As she paused in thought ever so briefly. After a breathe or perhaps two Eimi continued "Although Lieutenant Scion may have already had that opportunity. If... and I do mean if... it were indeed true that Captains Griffon's death were not natural." Eimi held up a trembling hand at Captain Sharpe before she protested more.

Eimi continued it was apparent that she was still feeling the effects of some sort of anxious moment. "I am not implying that Lieutenant Scion did such a heinos act but rather that it should not be dismissed. After all the Lieutenant stated that she was indeed there at the time that Captain Griffon died and that should be accounted for and consideration." Eimi gestured with the same trembling hand towards Scion and continued. "Before the Lieutenant is allowed to assist with the investigation where she is perhaps or perhaps not the one who assisted in his death." Eimi reached out, her hand shook a bit more as she picked up the now warm water glass and raised it to her lips and took a sip and then another. As she tried to calm herself.

Sharpe closed her eyes and held her breath momentarily as the room seemed to fall apart. How could she ensure the correct steps were being followed when it appeared the Senior Staff lacked respect for both Lucy and another. She wanted to shout at them unprofessionally and throw them out of the lounge on their asses just so she could think straight.

"I suggest the Commander check the computer recording of the Ready Room at the time of his death," Scion said. She understood how the Science Officer felt, and wasn't offended that she was basically being accused of murder. "Then if there is any indication I had anything to do with putting poison in the Captain's tea, I'll accept whatever action the Commander recommends." She knew she didn't touch the tea, or do more than hand the Captain her PADD. But if the Commander and the crew couldn't trust her, then she would go to her quarters and catch up on messages.

"Enough," Sharpe 's voice was firm as she reopened her eyes. "Scion, you're confined to quarters until we can exclude you from the investigation. Lotar," she looked towards the Security Officer. "Begin your investigation starting with the Ready Room immediately." The Acting Captain's eye passed the others present: "In the meantime do not discuss openly with the rest of the crew. Any further questions?"

"No, ma'am," Paisley piped up. "I understand!" She smiled tightly, and then looked around the room. She was really ready to leave; this sort of confrontation wasn't really her cup of tea.

"Very well, dismissed."

"Aye, ma'am." There was nothing further she could say or do at this point. The commander was doing what she had to. Scion turned and headed for her quarters. She still had a report to write--now two reports--and she could do that from there as anywhere. Besides, she was still a little shaky after watching the captain die.

 

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