Dinner with Garrett

Posted on Sat Jun 5th, 2021 @ 5:42pm by Samantha Prescott [ADMIN NPC] & Captain Garrett Lovejoy [ Taylor] & Commander Arrianna Salannis an Vantar

Mission: Season 5: Episode 2: Operation Save Humanity
Location: Lovejoy's cabin
Timeline: MD2: 1600
1970 words - 3.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Arrianna approached Garrett's quarters dressed in one of her Kiminos. She pushed the doorchime. This was going to be interesting. Very interesting. She was wondering if Lovejoy had the foresight to know Alindari did not eat meat. Good or Ill. She would possibly get a few answers this evening.

The door was opened by Samantha. Who froze for a split second. "Ah.. Commander Salannis an Vantar. Please come in." She stepped back and waved her in.

"Sam. did I hear the chime?" Garrett called to her as he came from another room. "Commander Salannis an Vantar. Welcome to our quarters won't you please come in and have a seat."

Arrianna walked in. "Commander Arrianna Salannis an Vantar." She introduced herself to Sam. "Me and Garrett are... How should we put it... Perhaps rivals that try to respect one another."

Garrett had to chuckle and smile at Arri's description of their relationship. "I think that is an apt description Arri."

"Yes, I am aware Vicer.. commander." Samantha corrected herself. "Can I get you a drink Commander?"

Ari held her forehead. "Please don't call me that. The Viceroy I still have pieces of her inside my mind. Including her memories."

"If you don't mind me asking Arri, what did you do with her? I'm guessing you got rid of her as you stated you have her memories." Garrett replied.

"I was not subtle with her, Garrett. She tried to possess me using mindcraft. It was once practiced by the warlords. She attempted to puppet me. It almost succeeded. And I got enraged enough to tear her mind to shreds." Arri noted. "Unfortunately, I now have her memories, including every unspeakable cruelty she ever did just for wealth and titles." Arri noted. "In fact, I started the Dimensional Defense Initiative because of her memories, as she had designs for our realm."

"She.. was..." Samantha broke off and shrugged. "It does not do to dwell." She turned to the kitchen. "I will prepare dinner."

As Sam went into the kitchen, Garrett turned to Arri. "Thank you for coming Arri."

"She's from the Mirror Universe..." Arri said calmly. "What is it about reality when good people are born in such a hell, and we have people who belong in the mirror in our universe." She mentioned. "We're not the same kind of Starfleet Officer. Garrett. When I graduated. My training ship, the Talleyrand was sent to Romulus to evacuate it. I could still remember the hopelessness I felt from a ship full of refugees, and that set the tone for my career. I was out there Garrett... Turning certain death into a fighting chance to live. And then I come back to HQ and I just can't figure them out. These three pips. I earned them out there bleeding and fighting with all the strength I have left.." Arri shook her head. "One of the people I've rescued. Maybe you're right. Have I become so disconnected with what it means to be in Starfleet?"

"ACtually I am from here" came Sam's voice. "I was there for many years" She brought out a few trays and placed them on the dining table. "I know you are vegetarian Commander,"

Garett chuckled at the look on Arri's face. "Sam was lost to me for four years Arri. Four long heart wrenching and soul searing years." Garrett replied.

"Ascendants... I'm sorry Garrett." Arri noted.

Sam ignored the conversation and continued putting out the meal.

"There's one more thing I'm deeply concerned of.." Arri noted. "Captain Carrington may have removed me as Second Officer, but in the crew's eyes I am stil Second Officer, and it is my duty to advise you of a situation since you're the XO." Arri mentioned. "The Crew is beginning to believe Starfleet Command is indifferent to them. They're beginning to believe that command sent Yasmine Carrington here to destroy their careers. Garrett Morale is catastrophically low, they're beginning to mock Carrington behind her back, and they believe Starfleet Command has no respect for their sacrifices. Nor the friends thwy have lost to the Terrans. Do you understand!?! There is going to be a mutiny. It's not a question of if... but when... and I do not want to see Carrington retaliate against the crew." Arri noted. "And there is nothing more important to me than this crew's morale."

Garrett listened as Arri spoke and when she finished he replied. "I see. Since the crew still sees you as Second Officer, I am charging with you with the task to put their fears and doubts to rest. Nothing could be further from the truth in regards to Starfleet and Captain Carrington. Quite frankly Arri you do me a great injustice in saying we're from different Starfleets. There is more to this than what you and the crew see and know. I'm asking you to trust me. I know that is hard for you but I am on your side and the side of the crew. I'm asking you to have trust in me Arri. All will become clearer soon."

"Then you have my apologies." Arrianna noted. "But is it necessary for her to be so cruel to this ship's crew?"

" Thank you and I don't think she sees it as being cruel Arri. I think it is just her enforcing discipline where she thinks it has been lacking. I'll talk to her about it." Garrett replied.

"And hopefully she will listen." Sam commented.

Garrett smiled and nodded at Sam, "Yes, hopefully she will Sam."

Sam shrugged. "We shall see." Sam had a very low opinion of such people, left over from her time in the MU.

"I am more skeptical." Arri noted. "What is Carrington doing, Garrett. Enforcing discipline is one thing, and I agree we may need that, But what she is doing... borders on direct violations of the Articles of the United Federation of Planets. Do you know the oath I took after I graduated Starfleet Academy?" She sat down at the table for dinner.

Garrett sighed, "It's her way Arri. she's more direct, more in your face than Captain Lalor was. As for the oath you took, I took the same one Arri. She sees a crew needing a firm hand and she is the one to provide it. I'm asking you to not let her get to you, don't react to her comments about Phoenix. Things are not as they seem."

Sam looked at Arri. "And Carrington didn't throw Captain Lalor in Jail, she may benefit from it but she had nothing to do with it."

"How long shall the beatings continue until morale improves?" Arrianna noted. "And what kind of cloak and dagger has Phoenix gotten herself into this time?" Arrianna shook her head. "Phoenix Lalor taken to a classified location? Tried for Treason? With a secret court? I knew it was ludicrous from the moment I heard it. You should be lucky I didn't contact the Federation's superior court for a full investigation into this matter. I may still do so, but I'd never do anything that would put Phoenix's life in danger, if she's doing what I think she's doing."

Garrett smiled at Arri and then at Sam. "I knew you'd figure it out." Garrett replied. "And if your serious about not putting Captain Lalor's life in danger, you'll be quiet and go along with the current situation as distasteful as it is to you and the rest of the crew."

"And what if she isn't where you think she is Commander?" Sam asked Arri curiously.

"Good question Garrett." Arrianna noted. "If I learn that I am wrong and this is foul play. If I learn that we have been mislead by false pretenses. If I learn I have been deceived, and I find Phoenix Lalor dead. I will expose every component of this cloak and dagger to the Federation Superior Courts. We've been rivals, Garrett, but realize... if this goes public. It will be the largest scandal in Starfleet since the Khitomer Conspiracy."

"So even if she is dead because of her own fault you will go after Starfleet?" Samantha asked as she finished setting out their meal.

Arri spoke and sat down. "Ms. Prescott. The Articles of the Federation are not Guidelines of the Federation. I've calculated that multiple flag officers involved here have committed no less that twenty suspected violations of Starfleet Regulations. And have violated no less than fifteen Federation Articles. And I tolerate this because Phoenix has asked me to do so. I'm Eighty percent sure this is a covert op. But I'm twenty percent sure this is the prelude to a military coup, and very soon, ill be hearing of more officers like me across the fleet being removed from Command positions and later rounded up." She mentioned. "I've seen too much of the Terran Empire to let the Federation descend to such barbarism."

Garrett shook his head. "Anyone ever tell you Arri that you have a healthy dose of paranoia?"

"I learned that from humans unfortunately."

"So because of that you tar us all with the same brush? That is rather narrow minded." Samantha said as she sat.

"There has to be a consequence!" Arrianna stated. "What we bend the rules, we ignore our laws, because they're inconvenient for the greater good? For what? We have to discard our principles whenever a shadow looms on us, and such despicable behavior is our last recourse. There has to be a stern warning never to do this again. Never to even conjure this again. A stern rebuke, that the Admiraly will remember, from starfleet officers who endured torture for the Federation." Arri mentioned. "And I will make that rebuke searing to them!! I'm tired." She looked down. "Being the Empire's prisoner destroyed me, and now I hold onto the Federation I know, and never take it for granted. What would you have me do? Tell me what to do beyond a protest to make the people that command us realize they've crossed the line, even it was for good intentions. I care about two things; Keeping Phoenix's crew alive, keeping her family alive, and keeping her alive." She almost shed a tear. "If both of you have a better suggestion, i am open to it. Because I'd love help lecturing them into a pit for this."

Garrett listened to Arri, saw and heard her anger. "Arri, you know what your problem is? You can't see the forest for the trees. You act like your all alone in this and I can tell you with all certainty that you aren't. By the way, you mentioned three things not two," He said hoping to ease the tension in the room. As for what I would have you do, it's simple act like a Starfleet Officer, do your job help me, Samantha and a few others keep the crew in line You don't need to like Carrington. The sacrifices this crew made have not been lost to the Admiralty. They know what this crew has endured. To spoke of consequences, there will be. You just need to keep a rein on your anger and your mouth shut." He said firmly.

Arrianna nodded. "Alright. Let's cool down. If this continues any more we'll start tearing each other's throats out, and we don't want that. I'm sorry Samantha. There are times I just don't understand this Captain, and what I have to do to keep her from destroying me... has exhausted me. I have to remember what I have to do for Phoenix."

Samantha nodded. "Just remember that Commander, we are all on the same side here."

"Yes, do try to remember that Arri. No attacking anyone. We don't need that kind of trouble." Garrett replied seriously.

They spent the rest of the evening conversing and discussing things.