Cutting the String

Posted on Sat Jun 19th, 2021 @ 7:29am by Commander Arrianna Salannis an Vantar & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Season 5: Episode 2: Operation Save Humanity
Location: Astrometrics
Timeline: Before Arriving at Illran
783 words - 1.6 OF Standard Post Measure

Arrianna was in Astrometrics working on analysis of the Saggittarius A Probes when Gary entered. "Something I can do for you, Envoy."

Gary had just entered the lab when Arri called out to him. Walking over to his friend, "Yes actually there is Arri. You can listen. I just spoke with the Captain and told her that you were use to speaking your mind. Her response was what you would expect. She answered by saying you were hostile and on more outburst and you would be brigged and demoted as far as she could do it."

He held up his hand to forestall any outburst. "Arri, use your head I need you, the crew needs you, I can't fight Carrington by myself. Be smart, be quiet.

"Actually you'll be pleased, Envoy. I don't care about Yasmine Carrington anymore. I know she's going to mess up. I know a mutiny is coming. So I have decided finally what to do about both the upcomming Mutiny and all this Cloak and Dagger around me... I shall do nothing, Gary." Arrianna noted. "In fact. Now I'm just going to let the end result of that woman's cruelty happen. I'm going to let her die, Gary."

Gary shook his head, "I don't believe that Arri. Carrington is a Captain. She was placed her by Command." Gary answered and couldn't believe he was defending Carrington but realized he wasn't defending her but her rank. "She is also a Starfleet Officer. Just because she operates differently than Phoenix and we don't like her style is not a reason to condemn her to die."

"I cannot do anything else. I cannot remove her from duty because I've been told not to. If I stand up to her, She'll destroy my career. If I do anything, It only gets worse. So tell her she's won. I will not do anything." Arri mentioned. "That's what happens when you're cruel to people Gary. They stop caring."

"You aren't a quitter Arri!" Gary replied stubbornly. "Your one of the most dedicated and strong people I know. You fight for what you believe in just like I do. Only difference is I'm not as in your face as you are and as far as telling Carrington she's won, I won't do any such thing and as for standing up to her, you can. You just need to be smart about and not openly hostile. Now quit feeling sorry for yourself."

"Then what do we do, Gary!!!" Arri noted. "She is completely and utterly callous towards this crew. Does not care what the Counselor thinks. They make people dissapear.; And now she's planning to make a people we do not know feel like prisoners on our ship. She is a Cardassian Gul, not a Starfleet Officer, and she's on an ascendants damned Spanish Inquisition. Every time we're out there, Gary. We face death, misery, and pain for the Federation. And everyr single time we come back to Earth. Those people have the unmitigated gall to say THEY...." Arri was breathing heavily. "... ARE the PERFECT Starfleet Officer. I want to throw Carrington into an Agony Booth the next time that Self-Righteous, Egotistical, drone calls Phoenix a traitor. What right does Yasmine Carrington have to sit on her laurels and say we're not starfleet officers." Arri began throwing things. "Curse her!!! Curse Mountbatten!!! And Curse Starfleet Command." She fell over, wheezing hard.

"ARRI!" Gary hollered and was at her side in an instant. Kneeling beside her he helped her to sit up. "Easy Arri, take slow, deep breaths. Nice and easy. Don't get so worked up. She isn't worth it. We'll get Phoenix back. Do I need to take you to Sickbay?"

"No..." Arrianna noted. "But I don't have to save this woman from the consequences of her actions, Gary. I don't even have to save Starfleet from the lesson they're about to learn. What happens when the beatings continue until morale improves. She has no respect for me as a Starfleet officer, nor anyone else, and now her errs are hers alone."

"You say that now but if push comes to shove you will save her and you know why? Because you aren't like Carrington. You care Arri. You want to see Carrington answer for her actions just like I do and not at the hands of a mob. but through justice. She may have no respect for you or me but we're better than that Arri. We don't need to like her but we can respect the rank. Plus and for no other reason, it's what Phoenix would expect from us." Gary countered.

"I'm going to go vent some steam, Gary." Arri left the astrometrics room.