A discussion and an offer

Posted on 24 Jun 2017 @ 3:28am by Vice Admiral Colin McDermott & Petra Varelli Ph.D.
Edited on on 26 Jun 2017 @ 3:53pm

2,698 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: Earth - San Francisco, Starfleet Headquarters
Timeline: MD 03, 0900

[ON]

"Doctor Varelli:" the message that had arrived in Varelli's email had begun.

"The Board of Inquiry into the loss of USS Galileo requires your presence for an interview in Room E-1201 of Starfleet Headquarters at 0900 local time. The dress code for this interview is business clothes. You will be depositing all personal electronic devices outside with security personnel, and may be subject to search for surveillance devices.

"For the Board,
Commander James Aronson
Starfleet Personnel Command"

The room itself was standard, annoyingly so. There were no windows. The brightly lit room had a table, behind which Vice Admiral McDermott sat, flanked by two other officers, as well as a lone chair for the interviewee. Security personnel stood outside the door.

It was to this that Petra Varelli was summoned.

Petra read the message and swore. "Bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger," she muttered as she replicated a business suit in a dark blood red. She added high heels and make up. She was going in dressed for battle. Not that she expected there to be a battle, but it made her feel better.

She walked up to the security officers outside the door and smiled in her most professional manner. "Doctor Petra Varelli to see Commander James Aronson," she announced. "The only electronic device I have on me is my combadge." She spread her arms out to either side. "If you don't believe me, search away."

The lead security officer, a human male wearing a petty officer's insignia on his collar, smiled. "You'll be speaking with Vice Admiral McDermott, ma'am. Commander Aronson just handles the summons. No need to turn over your combadge, just stand there and we'll do a tricorder sweep." That was done quickly, with the more junior guy (a crewman) nodding outside Varelli's field of view.

"I'm not turning over my combadge, I'm simply informing you that I have one," she said.

"And that's done. You're clear. Go in, please," the petty officer motioned to the door.

When she went through the door, she saw three individuals there. The only one in what had to be a flag officer's uniform was standing behind the table, flanked by a human female in command red with a Commander's pips on her collar, and a Lieutenant in command red on the opposite side of the Admiral.

"You must be Doctor Varelli," the Admiral greeted, once she reached the table. Unusually for these proceedings, he extended his hand. "I am Vice Admiral Colin McDermott, Chief of Starfleet Personnel and head of this board of inquiry. Assisting me is, to my left, Commander Heather George, who is the Secretary of the Board of Inquiry, and to my right, Lieutenant Jason Armage, my Flag Lieutenant and Aide de Camp, who'll be observing the whole process." The two individuals each extended their hand as well.

Petra shook their hands as they were introduced. She carefully and professionally assessed each one of them, taking their measure and deciding how she was going to handle this interview. After all, she was a professional and, while not in the military, she had dealt with plenty of government officials and bureaucrats in her time and this was really no different.

Once handshakes and introductions were complete, McDermott continued. "Before we begin, a bit of housekeeping I need to do, Doctor. You can get yourself a glass of water if you need it, but then please return to standing in front of that chair." McDermott then spoke in the usual crisp, clear voice of someone giving commands to a Starfleet voice interface: "Computer, begin secure recording and transcription of Galileo Interview Three, subject Varelli, encrypted at SEABASS protocol under authorization McDermott Tango Omicron Five."

Petra didn't want water. It would help her dry throat, but she really needed something a bit stronger. She punched in a command and a glass of clear liquid materialized. It was, technically, water. However, it was also 80 proof.

The computer beeped and replied, "Recording and transcription begun."

With that, Commander George spoke once Doctor Varelli had returned to her chair. "Doctor, before you sit. Please state your full name, Federation Identity Number, and roster position aboard the Galileo, for the record."

"Petra Varelli, PhD
Forensic Anthropologist
Attached to the USS Cartagena
FIN is
FS-227-3397"

She took a sip of her drink and waited.

"Vodka, Doctor Varelli. Interesting choice when you'll be under oath," McDermott noted, eyebrows raised.

With that, Commander George spoke again. "Doctor, please raise your right hand. Do you swear that the evidence you shall give in the matter now under investigation shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

"I do," she said. "And this is to forestall the headache you're about to give me."

"Uh huh." Who's going to be giving who a headache?, he narrowly avoided asking. "Anyway, sit, and tell me when you first met up with the Galileo's crew, given that your assignment is to the Cartagena?"

Petra set her glass on the desk and sat down. "Marisa saw them in the mess and investigated. We went to one of their meetings. They were talking about getting off Kreanus colony. Since they were Starfleet and were trying to leave the horrid place, we joined them. There was another meeting after that about the details. Then we boarded a Klingon ship, the Duja'Q. I spoke to a COB named Marcus, I think. He was very nice. He had a wife and kid. From what I hear, both parents died in the mutiny. The kid is going to family." She shrugged. "I was in science when she was shot and killed."

This all got a nod. "Keep going," McDermott encouraged.

Petra shrugged. "There were a few skirmishes. Nothing major--except when Ensign Mimi was attacked by a couple of Klingons who wanted to cut off her tale. Not until the mutiny. The Klingon XO and the Klingon who ran the colony betrayed Admiral Saalm. They tried to kill all the Federation personnel. I didn't hear much of the details except that they threatened to kill one of our crew if she didn't cooperate with them. She didn't and saved the Admiral's life. The mutiny failed, some Romulan Captain took us to Federation space, and now we're here."

"You seem to know very little for someone who was in the midst of it, Doctor. Particularly while you were aboard the Klingon ship, just what did you find yourself doing?" McDermott asked.

"I spent time in the science department, or what little they had on the ship. It was more a warship than a science one. I helped Ensign Mimi look for her home world. We didn't find it, but she's closer than she was. Oh, and I got to know some of the enlisted men on the ship." She smiled, still being strictly professional. Mostly. "The only time I was anywhere but science, my tiny quarters, and the mess was when we were transferring ships. So, I heard some of the gossip, saw people get shot during the mutiny, and basically was out of the loop for anything that really mattered. On the Klingon ship we were told to keep a low profile for our safety. On the Romulan ship, I took the opportunity to observe the Romulan science officers to see if I could learn anything. On the Andorian ship, I was in the cargo bay. Here, I'm supposed to keep to myself until after the investigation is over. So tell me, what do you think I was supposed to know? I'm a scientist. In this instance, I was more a passenger than anything."

McDermott nodded. His response was patient and calm, despite the Doctor's aggravation. "Well, let me explain it from my point of view, Doctor. From where I sit, a Starfleet vessel has been lost, with fatalities. The surviving crew, as well as other Starfleet personnel, was held captive, potentially by hostile agents of one or more foreign powers, for months. The crew was then aboard a ship which fired upon a Starfleet vessel and disabled it, potentially at the command of the Starfleet flag officer in command of that crew. As you might imagine, I owe it, and Starfleet Command collectively owes it, to the families of those who died aboard Galileo when she was lost, as well as everybody else who didn't survive this sequence of events, both from the Galileo as well as the Sentinel and other ships, to be extraordinarily thorough. I am required, by Federation law, Starfleet regulation, and by the duty I owe to those dead, to talk to everyone, and do so thoroughly. To examine everything. To consider all rational possibilities for which there is even a shred of evidence, no matter how outlandish they may seem at first. The results of the investigation made by the Board of which I have been appointed President will determine the fate of the careers of Starfleet personnel of all ranks; whether changes in training occur for Starfleet officers and enlisted personnel, or for attached civilians such as yourself; whether changes in design are made to Starfleet ships. At the outmost, it may determine whether persons are liable for criminal trial in Federation courts or by Starfleet courts-martial, and if so on what charges. So I apologize if it seems like I am wasting your time, Doctor, but my responsibilities are rather grave and rather significant. I need literally anything you can give me, no matter how minor or inconsequential it might seem to you. You were, are, an outsider aboard a Starfleet ship; what might seem inconsequential or trivial to you might be very important to those who know the ways of a Starfleet vessel and its crew. Similarly, you might notice things others would not."

"From my point of view, a Starfleet vessel was attacked, its crew kidnapped. If rumor is correct, the ship was fired on to preserve the lives of both ships. And no lives were lost because of that attack. I cannot address any crimes committed on Kreanus--I heard some rumors to that effect, but no details. A group of Klingons mutinied and tried to kill Admiral Saalm and the crew loyal to her. Another group of Klingons came to our rescue. The pilot was threatened and made part of the mutiny, but she warned security and the Admiral. The mutiny failed. The Klingon behind it. Kora'H, or something like that, is responsible for the attack at Kreanus and for the mutiny. I think." She shrugged and took another swallow of her water. "I spent the rest of my time waiting. Waiting on the Romulan ship, Waiting on the Andorian ship, and now waiting here."

"And the waiting drives you nuts. I get that," McDermott sympathized. "Same here, when I was younger and actually served away from a desk it drove me slightly bonkers not to be working. My wife hates me for it even now, tells me I have to keep busy or else she gets afraid I'll chew furniture like the dog." Awkward pause, maybe he said too much. "Anyway, moving steadily along. Basically, you're saying you know nothing. You saw nothing, heard nothing...May as well have been in a sensory deprivation tank. Am I right there?"

"I heard rumors, saw crew afraid for their lives, saw a woman killed in cold blood during a mutiny, and saw my friends murdered on Kreanus. I was not on the bridge, my best friend was in sickbay, and I really don't know much at all. What I want is to do more than sit and twiddle my thumbs while Starfleet looks under every rock and questions every bug it finds." Although hearing that the Admiral didn't like to wait, either, made him more human in her eyes.

"Understandable," McDermott acknowledged. "OK, I've run out of actual questions; ordinarily, with a member of Starfleet, I'd tell them what happens next and send them on their way. For you, because you are a contractor who is supposed to be attached to the crew of a ship that is now destroyed, we're in a bit of a pickle. In theory, you have a while left on your contract with Starfleet. The problem becomes what to do with you, particularly while you're stuck to Earth because of this investigation. So I've been thinking.

"At Starfleet Academy, we have a forensic anthropology course sequence taught by Dr. Ivan Polonias - he's a forensic anthropologist, one of our civilian faculty, but he hasn't been in the field in some time, and there's some speculation that a visual condition he thusfar refuses to get treated may be impacting his teaching...Add into that the quiet concern of his colleagues as to his cognitive state given that he's rapidly approaching 90 years old, as a human, and we're beginning to think he could use some help and some inconspicuous evaluation. Firstly, we'd like you to work with him on updating his course materials - syllabi, readings, everything - to reflect the state of the art; he could do it on his own, but it would take far too long. Second, we'd like you to guest lecture a bit in his upper-division courses - they're undergraduate upper division courses, taken primarily by cadets aspiring to work in Security or Medical for their service branch assignments. Third, we'd like you to keep track of your impressions regarding his abilities - in short, can he still do the job? We don't want to ask his colleagues in the department in part because he's the only forensic anthropologist we have on the faculty, and he's a frequent figure in the anthropology department's rather contentious internal politics. We don't have evidence yet to determine if we need to make getting vision treatment, or cognitive therapy, or both, a condition of further employment - we can if we need to, but we don't have the evidence to even pull him in for a medical evaluation yet, just persistent rumors and comments from cadets that aren't, in either case, going away. So, for all those reasons, we need someone who isn't a member of the faculty but can evaluate him fairly in terms of his ability to do the job. You're qualified, you're available. You don't have to do it, but we would really appreciate it, and you would get your choice of shipboard assignment to finish out your contract if you so chose and there was time left. Would you be willing?"

It was better than being told she was out of a job. Petra thought about it for several moments. "Okay. I'll do it."

"OK, good. I'll have someone from the Superintendent's office contact you about transferring the contract, any forms that need filling out, and so forth. So far as this situation goes: The no contact with other survivors, and no-leaving-Earth orders still apply, as well as the gag orders. I will enable you to leave Earth in pursuit of the work agreed to for Starfleet Academy, but only within the Sol System and only with 24 hours advance notice to my office. In no case may you speak with anyone at the Academy about this investigation or our discussions today. Other than that, you can go for now - I strongly advise taking a today to relax, because once you start at the Academy tomorrow, it's going to be very long hours for you, just as a necessity," McDermott finished.

"Okay," Petra said. She started tomorrow? Wow. Well, at least it was better than sitting around doing nothing, and it would be an interesting challenge. She finished her drink and smiled. "You know, that wasn't quite as bad as I expected. Good day." With that, she put the glass back in the replicator to recycle it and headed back to her room to her boring little room. At least for today.

____
OFF

Vice Admiral Colin McDermott
Chief of Starfleet Personnel and head of this board of inquiry

Commander Heather George
Secretary of the Board of Inquiry

Lieutenant Jason Armage
Flag Lieutenant and Aide de Camp

Petra Varelli
Forensic Anthropologist

Security Officer
NPCd by Vice Admiral McDermott

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