The Seeds of a Problem?

Posted on 20 Jun 2013 @ 1:17pm by Ensign Natalie Chevalier & Chief Warrant Officer 4 Cyrus Kiwosk

1,686 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3, Security Office
Timeline: MD11 - 1800 hours

[ON]

The following notations from Starfleet Security appeared on the file of one of the new scientists joining the Galileo crew, Ensign Natalie Chevalier:

==

* 2376 - Arrested by New France Colonial Gendarmerie, charged with destruction of property following protest at industrial facility. Charges dismissed, caution placed on record for trespassing.

*2377 - Detained and questioned following defacement of corporate logo. Released but remained person of interest in ongoing investigation.

*2378 - Charged with resisting arrest after sit-in protest at wilderness reserve.
**2381 - Juvenile record expunged.

*2380 - Identified by Starfleet Intelligence attending anti-government riots in New France government sector. No charges filed.

*2383 - Concerns expressed by Starfleet Security on application to Starfleet Academy.

*2385 - Placed on academic probation following refusal to cooperate with investigation into disturbances at site of proposed Academy administrative buildings expansion.

*2386 - Regulus III Internal Security Division reported meeting with prominent eco-terrorist group.

*2388 - Disciplinary mark placed on record for possession of contraband: incendiary literature belonging to prominent environmental activist organization.

*2389 - Forcibly removed from Kuthus III on recommendation of Starfleet Security and Colonial Command following involvement in anti-government protests.

==

Cyrus whistled low and glanced up at the woman sitting in front of him with a raised eyebrow. He stifled a chuckle and the kept his face relatively stony as he continued brought his eyes back to the file in front of him. "You've been busy..." He started, not looking at the activist.

Nat rolled her eyes. She'd been a little annoyed to find out she had to report to the Security Office for a boarding interview: after a day of wading through bureaucracy, the last thing she needed was some grumpy NCO dressing her down over a couple of minor infractions on her file.

It was nothing she hadn't heard before, of course, but for the most part she thought it was rumour and innuendo. Starfleet Security suspected her of consorting with eco-terrorists: she just felt she'd had an honest and open discussion with someone who had strong views on a development project. Colonial Command had pulled her off her last assignment when relationships soured with the local mining concern: but they'd also pulled out the entire Federation delegation, not just her.

"I'm passionate about the environment," she said, crossing her arms in front of her defiantly, a rather empty gesture given it appeared that one of Cyrus's arms would have weighed as much as her entire frame. "That's not a crime, at least last I checked?"

This time Cyrus did chuckle. " Cela m'est egal Miss Chevalier. I would suggest however, that you give me the same respect I'm giving you. Unlike most of the abrutis that are in Starfleet, I understand that things can be skewed." His french leaned heavily of a Quebecois, a french canadian dialect of french, but he was certain he struck a point or two with the young woman. He crossed his own massive arms across his chest and leaned back. "So I'll my questions, and in return for some honest answers, I won't be judgmental. " He stated and offered a slight half-smile, his eyes studying her with a bit of challenge and laughter. "Deal?"

Nat resisted a smile at his French: she herself spoke the New French dialect, meaning that between them their accents were worlds away, but she knew he was trying to meet her on her terms, and appreciated the gesture.

She uncrossed her arms, putting her hands down on the chair and shifting so she was sitting on them, in a bid to hide her incessant fidgeting. Her feet, which didn't quite reach the ground flat, trailed back and forth, toes sliding across the floor. Her eyes half-lidded as she studied him.

"D'accord."

Taking the olive branch for what it was he nodded and continued with his job. "Alright well, we'll get the first two elephants in the room." He began. "First, What made you decide that you needed to be such a..." He paused for the right word. "adamant...activist." He chuckled at his own wording. "And while you're answering that here's the other one: seeing as you joined Starfleet after your records were cleared, why continue to buttheads at the risk of your career?"

Nat frowned, not fully understanding the question.

"Nothing made me decide to be an 'activist', Mr. Kiwosk. I just knew that I had to: that if people didn't stand up, unchecked expansion would destroy the fragile ecological balance that supports our very existence!" she harrumphed. "Trees and flowers and frogs and lizards and insects and fish and all the other threatened lifeforms I've worked to protect don't have voices of their own - well, not on most planets, anyway - so unless we give them one, they're doomed."

She pulled her feet up onto the chair to sit cross-legged, then decided she was more comfortable in her original pose and put them down again. Then she changed her mind once more. A blur of slender limbs whirled as she twisted and turned.

"As for butting heads, well, I wouldn't have to if people would just agree with me," she said in exasperated tones. "So really, they're the ones being difficult, not me. Like on Kuthus III: the mining operations were destabilising the ecosystem. It wasn't sustainable, and in fifty years time that whole colony will be uninhabitable if they continue. But because the mining concerns fund the government, they threw out our report, and then they threw out us. And you're saying I'm the problem? No way, Mr. Kiwosk. With all due respect, it's the Federation and their lack of concern for long term environmental preservation.

"Why, even this mission is a perfect example ... " she grumbled.

"First off. "I didn't say you were the problem. And please, call me Cyrus. Mr. Kiwosk makes me sound waaaaay too professional for my own good." He chuckled.

"And by the way, all respect given. I've had my own bumps and bruises with Starfleet, but for different reasons. " He explained. "Well that's two down. But that still leaves another obvious question. Why join Starfleet if you feel they aren't concerned with the ecological ideals that you feel so strongly for?" He leaned forward, placing his large arms on the table.

Nat didn't wilt in the face of the question, but rather jutted out her jaw defiantly.

"Because, change can only come from within. There's undoubtedly a lot that Starfleet does well, and it was the best path to pursue my scientific interests. But that doesn't mean that, where the opportunity arises, I won't speak up. More change has been forged in history from individuals who confronted the system, rather than those who simply skirted around the edges spray-painting angry graffiti."

She's a firey french woman...isn't she Cyrus mused to himself. " So long as you're not spray painting the insides of the ship, I don't think we'll have too much of an issue here. " He studied the obviously very out spoken woman. "Before I got on to the harder questions, do you have any questions about myself? " He asked thoughtfully. " I hardly think it's fair that you get the whole spotlight." He chuckled to himself.

Nat shrugged, and tilted her head to one side. "I don't believe so. Why would I?"

The security evaluation certainly hadn't been her idea: she wanted to get through it as quickly as she could, and though she bore Kiwosk no particular ill will, his insistent mocking laughter was starting to grate at her a little. She had never reacted well to being the butt of jokes.

Cyrus shrugged. "just trying to make your feel less like it was an interrogation and more like it was just a simple conversation. Might not be the best place to do so...being in the middle of the Security offices. " He sighed and tapped a bit on the PADD.

"One last question...though I've already approved your clearance. " How about we continue this conversation later. I'm always up for talking to people... actually talking to people instead of questioning them about pasts infractions I really don't care about. " He smiled and another small chuckle escaped himself. "Because your intentions are obviously well thought out and meant for a greater good, which is was the Federation stands for. I think you'll fit right in."

"So last question, you mind if I swing by after you're settled in so we can actually talk instead of you feeling like I'm grating on your last nerve?" He grinned. "The chin jutting gave that one away, just so you know."

Nat smiled a touch sourly: it wasn't exactly the smoothest segue, but then again, she really didn't know many people on board yet. Even if nothing much came of it, at least speaking with him might be a chance to get a better sense of what kind of crew she was joining.

"Alright," she answered in level tones. "I have a psych evaluation this evening; don't worry, it's strictly routine, not a sign that I'm criminally insane. I guess we can meet up after that, say around 2200? Or, if you'd prefer, we can wait until tomorrow."

Cyrus grinned. "sounds good. I'd hate to put you in a straight jacket and throw you in the brig." He replied in equally level tones, though his eyes showed he was joking." He slid the PADD back to her nodded. " So I'll swing by around 2200. "You're free to go Miss Chevalier. Welcome to the Galileo .

"2200 it is. If I'm not in my quarters, try the arboretum," she said, taking the PADD back and rising from her chair. She did her best to give him an impression of a polite smile, but it wasn't a very good one, and he might have wondered whether she'd just swallowed a fly. "I'll see you later, Mr. Kiw- ... Cyrus."


OFF:

CWO Cyrus Kiwosk
Security/ Tactical Officer
TRT Squad Leader
USS Galileo

Ensign Natalie Chevalier
Ecologist
Planetary Sciences Division
USS Galileo

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