The Reckoning
Posted on Tue Mar 16th, 2021 @ 1:25am by Captain Liarra Von & Colonel S'er'in'e & Lieutenant Commander Felicie Rivero & Commander Titus Livius Drusus PhD
Mission:
Who Watches The Watchers
Location: Main Operations
Previously...
Upon arriving at Operations the door closed before him he gave the signal for the teams to enter. He was fortunate to catch the First Officer present, 1 of two, a good start. "Commander Luciano, would you summon Captain Von to Operations." His tone clear that discussion was not optional, do, and be done with it.
=^= Captain Von to Operations, urgent. =^=
Felicie stood behind General Lowe, her hand resting on her phaser. Without being asked or directive being given, the security detail behind her separated, four armed officers each flanking each door, weapons drawn and ready for any trouble that may happen. Now, all she could do was wait.
Von set aside the maintenance report and tapped her commbadge. Whatever Leo wanted, it sounded important. Which only caused a bigger pit in her stomach. "On my way." Standing up and tugging on her uniform jacket to smooth out any wrinkles, Von took a deep breath and headed for the door into Ops.
From her desk she couldn't see directly into the station's command center. But even if she had, she wouldn't have spotted the security teams blocking the entrances until she had already entered the room. In the center of Ops, standing next to Luciano was General Lowe, who was flanked by the Major and Commander Rivero. Von did her best to remain stoic and chose not to address the security team. There was no question in her mind why they were there. "General," was all that she was able to mutter.
Drusus stood scowling by the science stations with his arms crossed as Captain Von emerged from her office. The armed security guards was an unnecessary escalation and made the Magna Roman even more furious. He clenched his jaw against the anger that wanted to scream through him and contented himself with glaring at Lowe and his thugs.
Felicie could feel Drusus' glare boring into her and tried her best to ignore it, but the slight shift on Von's face, that small, almost imperceptible downturn of her mouth, the slight slump of her shoulders, the flicker of her eyes as her gaze skirted across them, that was what made Felicie shift uncomfortably before she shifted looked away, staring firmly at the bulkhead beyond, her hand resting on her phaser while she waited.
"Captain Von. As I indicated earlier I am here to investigate the conduct of you and your senior officers inclusive." Lowe began in a single breath. "I have reviewed mission reports, reports submitted by your staff as well as my own investigations. I have concluded that based on my findings and the resulting loss of life, damage of federation property, destruction of federation property and the endangerment posed by yourself to this station and its inhabitants through your actions I have no choice but relieve you and your First Officer of command pending a Court Martial."
Lowe had all the evidence he needed and while there was an element of truth to it all of it would have to be laid before a ranking officer, Admiral S'iraa. Lowe didn't know much of the Admiral, but he like everyone else soon would when this was brought before him.
Leo knew that it was pointless to resist, an armed security detail, a ranking officer, any action would only complicate matters and make things worse for the Captain.
"You will be restricted to quarters, a guard will be posted outside, communications, computer access will be monitored." Lowe added.
"If we are being charged, what about legal representation? The Admiral will need to be informed." Leo asked calmly, or as calm as he could.
"The Admiral will handle such matters, however it is your right to seek your own legal representation however I must insist on a security escort at all times." Lowe replied. "Once you have a representative only they will be permitted to visit." Lowe was turning 332 into a prison, that was his intention and he knew that anyone trying to go against that would only harm the Captain, and part of him was hoping.
Liarra knew that it was pointless to resist. Any aggressive actions at this point would only strengthen Lowe's case against her and Leo. Her hands were tied. Figuratively, at the moment. Her hope was that it didn't become literal. "Understood, General."
Stepping forward, Felicie motioned for two of the guards to join her. "Captain Von, I'll escort you to your quarters," she said calmly, motioning toward the exit.
Von kept her head held high as she started towards Rivero. She personally didn't think the armed security team was necessary. It was a show of force from Lowe, used to send a message to the crew about who was truly in charge. She knew it, but it wasn't like there was anything that she could do to fight it. And knowing Lowe, it was likely that he had enough to end her career. Otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered. Still, she tried to maintain what dignity she had left. "Thank you, Commander."
It was only once they were clear of the Operations Center that Felicie spoke again, well aware of the armed guards walking behind them. She kept her voice low as she spoke, eyes remaining fixed straight ahead. "For what it's worth Captain, I'm sorry."
Liarra kept her voice low to match that of her, well, her former, chief of security. "You haven't done anything wrong, Commander. You've done your duty admirably. I'm sorry I've let you down."
There were no words that came in return, no response felt appropriate. Instead she swallowed the sick feeling rising in her throat as they walked. This wasn't feeling right at all.
Captain Liarra Von
Commanding Officer
Starbase 332
Commander Titus Drusus [P: Whitlam]
Chief Science Officer
Starbase 332
Lt. Commander Felicie Rivero
Chief of Security
Starbase 332
General Lowe (Played by S'er'in'e)
