Meeting the New Boss

Posted on Sat Jun 19th, 2021 @ 7:30am by Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Season 5: Episode 2: Operation Save Humanity
Location: Diplomatic Conferance Room
Timeline: After Senior Staff Meeting.
1272 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

The Consul was reading several books in the Diplomatic Conference room when Gary Taylor entered. She looked up and examined him. "Well now, It appears you are my new superior." Lady Vanessa noted. "Very well then. My name is Lady Vanessa Alcean an Vantar, Currently a Consul in Starfleet's Diplomatic Service. I'm on exchange assignment here onobard the Elysium. A pleasure, Commander. Or Envoy as it is now."

Gary stopped and looked at her, his anger melting away at her quiet words. He knew she was aboard but had never met her until now. "It appears so Lady an Vantar or better yet how about you call me Gary and I call you Vanessa. That's if you have no objections."

"None at all. It's a travesty what they've done to you, Gary." Vanessa noted. "I'm going to do my utmost to aid you in this new position. If I may be so bold, I fear you've been assigned to a posting you may not be adequate for." Vanessa mentioned. "Fear not though. I intend to back you up in this department to the best of my ability. I do owe you and your crew a boon for ensuring we got out of that horrible universe and its despicable crew with our lives." Vanessa was well spoken and polite. But we a dignity and grace to her pose and disposition.

"Good." Gary replied as he moved around the desk and sat down. "Please Vanessa sit down and I'm afraid you are right about me not being suited for this role. So I appreciate all the help and guidance you can give me." Gary answered honestly. "As for owing us a boon, you would have done the same, in fact you are. Your saving me from making a fool out of myself. Something I think our new captain is expecting to happen."

"Indeed, I saw through her veiled ruse the moment it came to light." Vanessa mentioned. "They are using this department for their ends. I must say, I find such subterfuge reprehensible. Captain Carrington has since turned this ship upside down. Reassignments and transfers. I'm afraid it wasn't just you. Those who have earned her disfavor have found themselves in postings they are not suited for. The Klingon High Council did something similar when General Korrd advocated an end to the hostilities with the United Federation of Planets. The High Counsel was full of hawks at the time, and the General had presented the data on how disasterous a war with the Federation would be to the Empire. As I read Korrd's writings on strategy, and I found his pragmatism refreshing, as he was lest interested in glory and more in defending his Empire. A true Military man. The man found himself as a Diplomat on Nimbus III"

"The Planet of Galactic Peace." Gary muttered, "I feel like he must have at his reassignment. To be placed out of the way where he and now I can do little to no harm." He gave a sneaky smile, "But we'll just have to see about that. I am not ready to be put out to pasture. We'll let Carrington and Lovejoy think they have things as they want them when all we will really be doing is letting them hang themselves.""

"If I may say so, Commander. You may be in the best position to discover what really is going on around here. Being an Envoy in the Diplomatic Corps allows you access to resources and information that probably would not be available to even Captain Carrington. Diplomatic Privilege has its unique benefits. Even clearance in Starfleet Intelligence." Vanessa mentioned. "It's clear that these charges on Captain Lalor are beyond ludricrous. That being said, you will need to act, Commander. It is disturbing that Captain Lalor is suddenly charged with treason and whisked away, ascendants knows where, and in violation of many of the articles in the Federation Charter. Suffice to say, It is possible to put pressure on the parties behind Captain Lalor's disappearance, and if Captain Carrington or Commander Lovejoy are involved, They are in a very precarious situation right now. Put some pressure on Captain Carrington in the right way... and you can get her to reveal her entire agenda." Vanessa smiled and handed Gary a PADD "Captain Carrington's biography. Interesting read. Apparently, according to some records about this woman, She was slated for the post of Executive Officer under Admiral Sharr. But guess who got it instead?"

Gary listened as Vanessa spoke. He was impressed with her grasp of the situation and the resources available to him now that he was a diplomat. "Oh, the charges are not only ludicrous, they are made up, trumped up. Something is going on and I intend to find out what it is." He paused as Vanessa mention Carrington being passed over for Executive Officer. "Your going to tell me Phoenix right? Which would mean Carrington has a bone to pick and a score to settle with her."

"You did, Gary." Vanessa noted. "The biggest problem we face is that we do not know where Captain Lalor is being held, and facts on Captain Lalor's condition will be required. If we find enough evidence to prove that Captain Lalor's rights have been violated as a Federation Citizen and Starfleet Offficer. We can apporach the Judge Advocate General and ask for a mistrial on all legal proceedings. The JAG will then order that Captain Lalor be brought to the court immediately." Vanessa mentioned. "But for the time being, we need more proof, and that might be the most difficult... and dangerous part.... The woman has the subtlety of a brick. We must take the greatest care. If any of us are put in the Brig. We may end up right next to Phoenix Lalor's cell somewhere. I believe our lives right now may be in grave jeopardy."

"You just said a mouthful Vanessa. We have to first find out where Phoenix is being held. Than we can have a writ of habeas corpus presented to JAG that they must produce Phoenix. They cannot keep her hidden away and we can hopefully get her released until her trial." Gary sighed and looked at her, "All this takes time especially since we have to move slow and not attract attention to ourselves. As you said it won't do any of us any good if we're all in prison cells."

"One more thing. Be very careful, Commander. Our lives are in jeopardy right now. Keep meetings to a minimum. Record any and all abuses this crew suffers at the hands of Carrington. Right now. I've had the diplomatic filters activated within this room. No sound has escapedn, nor recording made, as the Diplomatic Corps is afforded some secrecy with matters of state. But I must keep myself from getting into the Captain's crosshairs." Vanessa mentioned. "Hopefully, I can get close with Captain Carrington, but my instincts tell me she doesn't think much of diplomats. I aim to prove her wrong." Vanessa mentioned. "And return back here when you have everything settled. I have much to teach you and a short time to do so."

"Careful is my middle name Vanessa." Gary assured the woman. "I know how to be careful and not draw or bring attention to myself." He nodded in approval at the security measures she had taken to ensure their privacy. "Make sure you follow your own advice. You don't want to make an enemy of Captain Carrington. " He gave her a tight smile, "I think you'll find me a very adapt and quick learner Vanessa."