Hunting the Hunter
Posted on Thu Mar 18th, 2021 @ 1:23am by Dahleya & Lieutenant Commander Felicie Rivero
Mission:
Who Watches The Watchers
Location: Starbase 332
Felicie had been staring at the console in front of her for what seemed like a small eternity. She needed more information on Lowe, but her security access was limited and she had no doubt that the General was monitoring communication going in and out of the station. The only person she knew that had even the slightest chance of being able to help was the bounty hunter, Dahleya, but getting her on site and in a position that they could talk freely was something she wasn't entirely sure how to achieve.
Finally, drawing in a deep breath, she leaned forward and tapped out a quick message. "Dahleya, problem with last bounty. Need to talk in person." Signing it with her name, rank and position, Felicie hit send quickly and leaned back in her seat again. Now, all she could do was wait and see if the bounty hunter would show up.
Deep in the station, far below the glamor of the commercial district, Dahleya had gathered a bit of a crowd. With a drink in one hand, and the other gesturing wildly, she continued her tail. "So that's when he pulled his knife and threatened waving it around like a lunatic. Apparently what they say about a cornered Rigellian is true. But I thought this little guy was going to put his eye out. He may have been a good thief, but he was terrible with a blade." She paused and took a another big sip.
One of the other bar patrons waiting patiently for the next part of the story spoke up. "So what did you do? Did you fight him?"
Dahleya smirked and rolled her eyes. "I shot him. I had a phaser. He had a knife. How he thought the encounter was going to go any other way is beyond me." Her comm unit chimed in her pocket. With her free hand she pulled out the device and flipped it open while the other hand lifted her glass to her lips. She hadn't gotten much more than a sip when she read the message. The Denobulan let out a sigh. "Paperwork issue back at the office, boys. I better get this cleared up if I'm going to get another job." She downed what was left of her drink and left a slip of latinum on the bar for the bartender. "Next time I better not be the only one with stories."
Dahleya left the bar and made the long trek back to the security offices. Even as fast as turbolifts were, it was still several minutes from the deeper decks all the way up to the command offices. It gave her plenty of time to debate what could have been wrong with her last bounty. She didn't like to make mistakes, and the way Rivero worded her message it sounded like something was wrong. Eventually she made her way to the security office and walked up to the yeoman at reception. "Hello. I was told there was something wrong with my last bounty."
By sheer happenstance Felicie had been walking out of her office as Dahleya entered security. "I've got this," she said quietly to the yeoman, motioning toward the door for Dahleya to join her. It was only when they were well clear of the security office that Felicie finally spoke. "I'm sorry for summoning you like this," she said quietly. "I need some help and you're the only person I can trust. At least I know your intentions upfront."
Dahleya may not have been the smartest person, but she was good at reading people. She needed to be to be worth a damn in her line of work. But anyone could have read that something was up. "I'm going to go out on a limb and say that there isn't anything wrong with my last bounty. What I can I do for you, Commander?"
"Sorry, your bounty was fine. I suspect my communications are being monitored so I couldn't be open. Mind if we keep walking?" Felicie asked before she continued speaking. "I need some information on someone. My access levels aren't giving me enough and I suspect that even if my access was high enough I wouldn't find what I need."
Dahleya was certainly intrigued enough to humor Rivero, so she continued walking alongside her. "And you came to me because you need someone who can look into things... discretely." Her inflection made it clear that the statement was not a question. "This wouldn't have anything to do with Captain Von's predicament, would it?"
"It would," Felicie said softly as they walked. "I'll be honest, I feel a bit out of my league. I've reviewed all the documentation, Von has a colourful history, but I'm not sure the steps that Lowe is taking is entirely warranted. My senses tell me that something else is at play and I want to know what it is. I just can't find out alone."
The Denobulan nodded along. "I don't know much about this Lowe, but I can't say I've ever had any issue with Von. Not that I know her well by any means. She seems well enough liked, I suppose." Dahleya shrugged. "It's probably safe to assume this is completely off the record and not officially sanctioned by any means." She smiled a wide, wide smile. "Do you have any leads?"
"It is completely off the records..." Felicie chewed on her bottom lip for a moment. "I know you'll need payment, I'll sort it out. You have my word," she said quietly. "Honestly, I have no leads. I feel like I'm being targeted because of circumstances. I'm the newest senior staff member and I'm in security. He outranks me. Hell, he outranks Von. I can't not do as he tells me. I'm under orders, until I get enough to act otherwise."
"We'll figure out the payment later. Something tells me that I'm not going to have as much freedom to operate under General Lowe, so it's in my interests to help you out. This certainly isn't like my other jobs. But I like a challenge."
"I need to know Lowe's history, his background, what makes him tick, and weaknesses are an added bonus" Felicie added with a chagrined smile.
Dahleya grinned and gestured with her index finger towards Felicie. "I like the way you think, Rivero. I take it time is of the essence. I heard that they're rushing ahead with a court martial. I didn't think Starfleet ever moved this quickly."
"Lowe is pushing at lightening speed," Felicie replied quietly with a shake of her head. "I've been across a number of court martials since joining Starfleet but I've never seen one propelled this quickly. Something feels off. The whole thing feels especially punitive, I mean, Von may have a checkered command history, but this feels like overkill, know what I mean?"
"It does seem odd. I can't argue with you there. Lowe must have his reasons for wanting to rush this through. But what can they be?" Dahleya shrugged. "I suppose that's someplace to start with my investigation."
"What ever you can find will be appreciated," Felicie replied quietly. "Let me know what you find out, just, be discreet."
"Please, discreet is my middle name," Dahleya said with a grin. "We'll be in touch."
With a nod, Felicie stepped away seamlessly, turning the into a corridor and walking away. Now all she could do was wait and hope that Dahleya could come up with something that could help them before it was too late.
Lt. Commander Felicie Rivero
Chief of Security
Starbase 332
Dahleya [P: Von]
Bounty Hunter, Registered
United Federation of Planets
