Tension in a Turbolift

Posted on Mon Jun 10th, 2019 @ 12:03am by Commander Arrianna Salannis an Vantar

Mission: Episode 1: Hell is a four letter word
Location: Turbolift One
Timeline: MD 4
500 words - 1 OF Standard Post Measure

Arrianna was heading back to her quarters when an unexpected person entered. She did not look at him, but it was difficult to restrain her emotions around him.

"Commander," Percy said briskly, and gave her a subtle nod. He turned about to face the closing doors. "Deck 4."

"So, Commander Albright. You go from a dignified post under Captain Benjamin Maxwell to a coveted position as a colleague of the Commodore, and you serve Commodore Mountbatten so well. Even the first empress would be in awe of your.... efficiency. I'd like to tell you, you have my complete admiration."

Percy turned toward her, his brow raised. "Thank you, Commander," he said, his surprise hardly contained. "I'm not too humble to admit that it took a great deal of work to get to where I am today. But the effort was worth it."

"Do you truly believe what you say against Captain Benjamin Maxwell, Commander? When the Borg decimated my people's first homeworld, we were forced to flee in a refugee fleet. We encountered many hostile races that attempted to adsorb us for their own gain." She noted. "I think Captain Maxwell did what needed to be done; show the quadrant the Cardassians could not be trusted."

"Commander!" Percy nearly choked. "The Federation is not in the habit of murdering people because it has decreed that certain races are not to be considered 'trustworthy.' Frankly, I am quite shocked to hear you suggest such a thing." He pulled out his PaDD and switched it on.

"You are a dutiful little minion, aren't you?" Arrianna noted.

Percy opened his mouth to protest her personal attack, but he stopped himself. Instead he took a moment to turn off his PaDD and tuck it beneath his arm once more. "Are you suggesting that is a bad thing, Commander?"

"Let me be blunt, Commander. And you can record this in your padd like a good little dog." She noted. "You and Lovejoy believe you're really the only two officers in Starfleet. The rest of us are just chattel compared to the size of your combined ego. This was not about proving anything about Captain Lalor, you've pretty much pre-determined your evaluation of her, everything else is just groundwork to meet your expected outcome. My people have a great amount of experience with intrigues, Commander." Arri noted.

Percy nodded, though his sarcasm was evident in the gesture. "And yet you expect me to believe that you aren't guilty of doing the very same? Where is my fair trial, Commander?"

"It will come out eventually, Commander." Arrianna noted. "As all treacheries do when your agenda reaches its climax." The turbolift stopped. "Did you get all that in your PADD?"

"Yes," he said, his eyes narrowing. "I believe I have everything I need. Thank you."

OFF

((Cultural Note; The Alindari never compliment one's efficiency when making compliments. This is an insult. She's comparing him to the Borg. She's also being sarcastic. Something she's learned from these darned humans.))