ILLUMINARRPG: (7-0530)- SFI Michael Weston, CO Captain Sekal

[Charles Gatling]

Mission: Death in the Shadows
Day 7
Stardate: 2446.02.07

(USS Illuminar - Deck 2 - CO Quarters -  SFI Michael Weston, CO Captain
Sekal - 0530)

Michael had spent a great deal of his career keeping a good emotional
distance from his work.  It had allowed him to do things that normally
someone would not do.  To be people that he really wasn’t.  But this time
he had lost his objectivity, and he really didn’t like it.  But facts were
facts.

He stood outside Sekal’s quarters for a time before ringing the chime.  He
did not want to speak with the Vulcan with emotion, but every time he
considered his choice of words, anger would rear its head, and he would
have to take a step back, breathe and calm himself.  Finally, he felt that
he was able to speak and present a calm and logical argument.  He stepped
up to the door and put his hand on the chime.

Sekal looked up at the sound of the buzzer, sleep had not been an option
tonight due to events that had unfolded though he had taken a nap and would
be going on tour soon. T'Lah was snuggled into his lap as he sat in the
comfortable armchair in his living area facing the doorway. He had expected
a visitor tonight though earlier. The cat was at an impossible angle with
her forward body turned nearly ninety degrees from her hindparts. She was
looking up at almost a forty five degree angle with eyes nearly closed and
purring contentedly as he scratched under her chin. Security had been told
to grant Mr. Weston entrance should he show.

"Luma open the door please." He then watched with a slightly cocked head as
the SFI agent made his entrance.

“Captain,” Weston nodded as he stepped into the room.  He had to admit,
seeing the captain with a cat in his lap caught him off guard.  He wondered
what it was with the people on this ship and pets.  However, that was a
contemplation for another time.  He had to stay focused.

“I apologize for coming this early, but I needed to speak with you on an
important matter,” he announced.  Oddly enough, Sekal did not seem the
least surprised to see him.

"I had assumed as much. You have logically spoken with the doctor and
therefore have something to say?"

Weston nodded, “I have and do.”  He took a step forward and began. “With
all due respect Captain, have you lost your ever loving mind?  You have
given Dr. Solice permission to put herself in mortal danger by having her
infiltrate an organization like Roanoke?  What possible logical reason
could you have to allow that?”

Sekal had expected this. "Mr Weston I told you there would be repercussions
to exposing my crew and this is an unexpected one. Doctor Solice made her
expectations and plans plain and gave me little choice. I could and did
order her to stand down but I could not trust her to remain clear of it. At
some point she would have involved herself without my knowledge or yours
and I could not allow that which was why I gave her permission but only if
she would bring you in as a resource if nothing more. I needed to know that
her involvement would be managed by someone with the proper training and
skills to bring her through it alive. Blame me if you wish but I did
everything in my power to keep her from the intrigue which you exposed her
to." He gave T'Lah a last scratch as she rolled out of his lap and dropped
to the floor then fixed Michael with glaring eyes.

Michael needed no reminding of his part in Quinna’s involvement.  The woman
did have a way of involving herself in things she shouldn’t.

“I am fully aware,” he shot back, “of my involvement in this matter. I had
merely expected that a member of your crew would simply follow orders.
Perhaps that was unrealistic, all things considered.”

Sekal was a good captain, but somewhat inexperienced. He had a strong
foundation, and Weston almost felt bad about questioning that. Almost. This
was a Quinna he wanted to protect.

"And I would have expected the same. The Doctor however is stronger willed
than I anticipated and has made this a personal crusade. The best we can do
at this point is to manage the situation so that she comes through it
intact. Her encounter with the personality implant has given her an
emotional stake in the matter that I cannot negate short of placing her
under guard in the brig. If you do not believe you are capable of managing
the situation then I will do so."

Weston relaxed a little at the truth of Sekal’s words. “Strong willed. You
said it brother. Yes, I realize we are not related,” he said as he saw the
eyebrow rise.  “Well, I have managed to convince her that she will need
some help on this. As adamant as she was to do it on her own. However, to
make this convincing, Quinna is going to have to make herself more
appealing to these people, this admiral.”

T'Lah curled up on the floor between them, her eyes never leaving Weston as
her tail swished back and forth across the floor.

"I have no intention of allowing her to get that far. If the ones remaining
on the ship are rooted out we should have the information we require. If
not here then perhaps at Altair. I will not willingly allow her to place
herself that far into the beast's maw Mr. Weston, of that you may be
assured."

“Nor do I,” Weston agreed. “Unfortunately, the only way forward is to go
deeper into the rabbit hole. It will be hard for Quinna, harder for her
friends. I’m afraid I’m going to become quite unpopular soon. Well, more
unpopular than usual. You will simply need to react as you would typically
do.”

He added, “I promise to keep her as unscathed as possible.  But there will
be marks.”

"A learning experience is quite often painful and the doctor is resilient.
I will hold you to your promise."

Weston nodded, “And just so we have full disclosure,” he pulled the PADD
from his jacket, “on closer inspection of Sanchez’s quarters I uncovered
this. I believe it’s the one Quinna has been referencing.  I’ve taken some
time to examine it. The encryption is a level beyond ability to crack, but
I am assuming that it has a failsafe to automatically erase, or worse, when
tampered with.  It’s what I would do.”

Sekal looked the padd over and handed it back. "If all other avenues are
blocked Lieutenant Gregory may be able to pierce its protective encryption.
That however would be our last resort if you are correct and like you …
it's what I would do."

Michael shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. “Let the games begin.
Thanks for the time.”

"Our talk was … stimulating." Sekal stood to his feet. "It is time for me
to take the watch. I want to know everything that happens as soon as you
can relay it. I also understand it may not be possible to give me instant
updates but I will be expecting word on your progress."

“Of course,”Weston replied. “Time for me to go to work as well. You’ll hear
from me soon.”  ~Pretty sure you won’t be happy about.~

Michael turned to leave. He stopped at the door and turned around, “You
know, you’re a pretty good captain, no matter what people say.”

With a smile and a wink he turned and left the room.

Sekal shrugged, the humans reaction marked his comment as banter but Sekal
did not have the goal of being a pretty good Captain, his measurement went
far beyond that. One that he had seen modeled since he was a child.

(Reply: None)

(Posted by Al Muir  (Weston)
And Charles G  (Sekal)


Charles Gatling
Commanding Officer
USS Illuminar
NCC 61240


"The light shines brightest amidst the deepest darkness."
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