No one Expects the Spanish Inquisition

Posted on Wed Dec 25th, 2019 @ 5:01pm by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor & Lieutenant JG Gallia Norris

Mission: Casperia Prime - A lesson in relaxation
Location: Phoenix's Ready Room
Timeline: MD4 -After their return
3692 words - 7.4 OF Standard Post Measure

As Captain Phoenix Lalor sat in her ready room, doing who knows what, her holoemitter suddenly sprang to life on it's own, though not truly on it's own, it was helped significantly from a distance. Crackling to life in front of her desk was the image of Ambassador Anje Zhukov, "Good evening, dear Phoenix." She smiled, "Time for a crazy old woman?"

"Ambassador, Nice to see you" the Captain smiled "Were you inviting a Crazy Old Woman to this conversation?" Phoenix asked standing and making a respectful bow. "What can I do for you Ambassador?"

"Well, we should probably start by opening the door for Lt. Norris, who I expect to rush in panic stricken in 3, 2, 1..." She began, watching the door whiz open and a red faced Gallia rushing in.

"Captain, are ye alright?" The Scot asked, her voice a mixture of anger and panic, "Ah saw on ma console where yer emitter activated on it's own..." She turned when she saw another in the room, studying the situation long enough to realize that A) it was Ambassador Zhukov and B) she was a hologram, "Whot in hell...."

"Oh, that was just me, child." Holo-Zhukov laughed, "Everything's fine, just needed to check in with your wonderful Captain here. Tell me, how is that beautiful little girl my sister goes on so about?"

"Shay's doin' foine, Madam Ambasster." Gallia replied, shocked by how much the woman knew.

"Wonderful, she's a real beauty." The holographic Wolf Queen smiled, "But, no offense, I rather need to have some alone time with your Captain. Could you send Commanders Taylor and Holmes in though?"

"Aye, Madam Ambasster." Gallia said, turning to leave as she called for the commanders as ordered.

"Well, I'm not sure if she's lovelier coming or going..." The Ambassador mused before turning back to Phoenix, "Now, where were we? Oh, yes, a favor, one which will be repaid with great interest."

Phoenix had to grin at the events. But as the Ambassador turned back, her polictical mask slid into place. "A favor Madam?" she asked as she rounded her desk. "And I, if you permit me, will say this is very unusual, Ambassador."

"Well, I am a very unusual Ambassador." Zhukov replied, looking at her watch, "Where is that boy of mine? Hold on, dear." With that she vanished from the ready room, reactivating in Taylor's quarters, "Gray, come on, your Queen needs you." She then vanished again, returning to the ready room.

Gary heard the Queen's summons and saw her flash out of existence. "Damn! Must be serious, she's never done that before." He called out to Lia, "Lia! I'm going to check on the Captain. Come to her ready room." With that he was gone, moments later appearing on the bridge. He saw Gallia at the Ops station and she waved him through. Entering he saw Phoenix and a holographic image of the Wolf Queen. "Well, this is new." He said addressing the Queen. "You called, I came. What can we do for you?" The last said with a look over at Phoenix.

"Far the love a' God will shay stop that?" Gallia complained loudly from outside.

"Yes, before I give poor Norris a stroke, I am in need of a favor. A favor which involves your shiny new ship and my old command." Zhukov continued as though she'd never been gone, "I understand you recently lost your intelligence officer, and I need you to have the most competent one available, both to further our mutual goals and to assist my Little Anje in diplomatic issues that will soon erupt. I believe your Commander Holmes might be the woman for the job."

Phoenix waved Gary further in and then turned to the Ambassador. "The loss of Wynter and Jaeih is hard, I will admit, but their new roles suit them better." She paused. "As for your suggestion, it is an interesting one. And one I would suggest the commander takes under consideration, however, she has just returned from medical leave of a very... stressful nature. I am not sure she will accept such a transfer."

"I've heard she's gone through a lot." The Ambassador nodded, "Though I think she can be persuaded. She's made of stronger stuff that one, if I didn't know better I would swear she was Russian. I mean, to put up with one of my boys as well as she does she's got to be strong." Another hand appeared in front of her chest, handing her a drink of some variety which she began to sip, "Thank you, Rebecca."

"While we wait for Cdr. Holmes, I believe I'll pry a bit." She continued, "Tell me, how is my Little Anje doing? Adapting well to her new role? Heard you had some nasty business with a Changeling... I guess that explains why T'Prel and I stopped speaking so long ago." ~We were friends once. Or were we? Was she ever really there? If so, where is she now?~ She ran the list of questions through her head rapid fire, it had been keeping her up nights

Gary smiled as the Queen talked, some might think she was rambling but he didn't, he knew her. She had a mind like a steel trap and knew things that at one time he didn't think possible but now he wasn't surprised by anything she knew. He chuckled at her gentle needling of him. "You right Admiral, Lia is strong. Very strong."

"Anje has settled in well I believe and she is growing in her confidence." Phoenix took a breath. "Yes, that Changeling had been waiting a long time to take her chance. Long time deep planning. I Sent to Vulcan to have her home searched. Maybe they will find out the truth there."

"I wonder now did this changeling kill my friend or did I ever know the true T'Prel at all." Zhukov shook her head, sadness obvious, "Do keep me posted on your findings, please. Yes, good to know Anje's doing well for you, she's expressed quite a fondness for the lot of you, seems Elysium is her home now, this pleases me greatly."

"The Elysium's Crew is a family Ambassador. Its something, I have always insisted on." Phoenix said softly. "And Family works for each other."

"It's good that you learned that so young, dear." The Ambassador said with a measure of pride, "Nothing is more important than family, there's nothing you fight harder for in the galaxy. Biology never granted me a son, seven children, all daughters, but Starfleet service granted me many strong, loyal sons who would fight and die for me, for that I am forever grateful. You'll understand this even better as you climb the ranks though."

Gary listened as the Admiral spoke to Phoenix. She was right, the wolves would die for her and not give it a second thought. He owed her so much that he could never repay. He could only give her his unyielding loyalty.

"Well I am content here." Phoenix said calmly. "I like the Elysium and I have many more years before I look to climb above my current rank. Commander Taylor on the other hand" she sent him an impish smile. "Has been babysitting me a while now."

"Oh, come now. You hardly need a babysitter, dear. You're a damned good Captain, otherwise I'd not leave two of my family in your care, so you just ignore anything that bitter, bitchy Lois Kent has to say." The Queen commanded, "Gary is here to help you, not chaperone you, you're doing great work. And as for Ms. Kent, when I'm President she's going to find getting access to the capitol much harder, the jackal."

"The Admiral is right Captain. Your doing great all by yourself." Gary answered "And as far as Lois Kent. All I can say is good."

"She and that awful Billoit can both get their stories from the paper." The older woman shrugged, "Or from the janitor for what I give a damn." Her relations with the media had always been testy with few exceptions, she knew she'd need help winning them over during the campaign and the ignorant story that Aubrey Tate had stabbed Kerri on Cortic VI wasn't going to help, ~Little Anje was always good with those fools, need to find another like her soon. Can't afford to lose this.~

Lia now wandered in pulling at her new blue top, "This bloody top is going to get shredded, why isn't it sitting right?" She stopped when she noticed the small group in the middle of the room, "Oh sorry Captain, but the XO said to report here". Then she noticed the hologram, "Ah, am I interrupting something here?" Lia now slowly headed for the door, extremely embarrassed.

"Commander Holmes, please come back in here and sit down" Phoenix said calmly. "This is Ambassador Anje Zhukov."

Stopping and turning around Lia pointed at herself, "You want me to join your meeting with an Ambassador?" She looked at the Hologram, "Good day Ambassador, I'm sure this will be sorted shortly". Confusion now flooded Lia's brain, why would Gary and the Captain want her to join this meeting? And just who was this Ambassador?

"So you're the one who kept my niece from running back to my Embassy." Zhukov laughed, "Yes, I am the dreaded Auntie Anje, former bane of Little Anje's, and Gary's, professional existence. And I've also become quite the pain in the ass for the lovely Princess Phoenix and your Lt. Norris. But, I've found myself in need of your services, my dear, as has your Captain."

"Wait, your Anje's auntie? And your what to Gary? And since when was the Captain a Princess?" Lia's brain was doing somersaults, the flow of information about people she thought she knew was becoming overpowering. She looked at the assembled group before her, then back to the Hologram. "And now you've decided to get involved with MY life?" She shook her head, "I may not be much to look at, nor have much of a life right now. But Lady, if you think I'm just gonna let you rule the roost. You'd better think again, Ambassador or not!!" She now looked at her friends again, "I'm sorry, but this isn't me. I can't be this way, I know what lies and secrets can do to people". Lia now slowly headed for the door, "When you've all decided what's best for other people, let me know".

Phoenix wanted to roll her eyes instead she straightened "Commander Holmes!" She snapped out. "Stand down and stay put." Her tone was an order. And she rarely had to use said tone on the Elysium. "Sit." She pointed to a chair. "Now Commander." she added in case Lia chose to argue.

Lia halted and turned as Phoenix spoke, "Yes Ma'am". She walked back to a chair not far from the Captain herself, "Due respect, but why me?"

Phoenix held up a hand to silence her. "Let me commence by answering the questions you have asked in order. 1. Yes, the Ambassador is Anje's Aunt and her namesake. 2. She was Gary's commanding officer at one point." not entirely true but Phoenix was not about to muddy waters further. "3. I have been a princess since birth. I just do not use my title. And 4? why you? That would be cause we believe that you would be a good fit for the role. Which Role I hear your brain ticking there Lia. The role of Chief of Intelligence of the USS Elysium."

Gary smiled at Phoenix's handling of Lia as well as her explanation to Lia's questions. It was handled masterfully. He was impressed and he knew the Queen would be as well.

Sitting quietly as Phoenix explained things, Lia wondered if she really knew these people. "Chief of intelligence, not exactly my field of experience. I mean yes I was a Star Fleet Intelligence agent for around ten years or so, but I got out of that business when I arrived here. I've not played the spying game for two years, I'm way out of touch with that life style". She fidgeted on her chair, it was like being back in school. And she was on the naughty step, with everyone else looking at her. She turned to Gary, "And how do you feel about this sideways transfer?" She looked at her boyfriend, was he telling her everything?

Gary looked at Lia, "I think you do yourself a disservice Lia. You have the experience. You yourself said it. You were an agent for ten years. You know how the department works and more importantly how the spy game works." He stopped and after a moment he said, "I think you would be perfect to fill the Chief of Intel slot here on the Elysium."

She sat and listened to Gary, so far the Ambassador hadn't said much. "To what end do you require my presence in that role?" She knew there was more to this whole thing than they were saying, "I might be rusty, but even I can tell you want me there for a reason. Just what is going on? Ambassador, with respect. I know you have something to do with this, why else would you be here. No doubt you've read my file, can I therefore presume some sort of overarching command structure?"

"I've read your file closely, yes." Zhukov replied, "You've got the skills I need, Lia. I've protected the Federation with life and limb for twelve decades, give or take, and soon I will ascend to the Presidency, not because I desire it, but because it's the only way I can keep the Federation, and the galaxy, safe. I once sat as the overall Commander of all Starfleet Intelligence, I was the eyes and ears of several presidents, not to mention every officer we went into battle for us, those who returned on their feet and those who returned under our flag alike. Everyone in this room has shown me that they are the type of people who I can count on to put themselves in harm's way for the better good, that's why I've chosen all of you, this ship, very few people made the cut. Things are in motion, all of which I will reveal in time, I need reliable people, strong eyes and ears, but most importantly people with balls. Cowardice and political favors have weakened us to the point where we're ready for the kill, I can't stand idly by and watch it. I don't believe any of you can. That's what I called for, not to rule the roost, but to get your eyes back into the crow's nest so we don't ever get backjumped by another enemy again."

As the Ambassador spoke, Lia's mind attempted to see just where she fitted in. Her missions in her SFI years had involved intelligence gathering, she had lost a very close friend while doing it. It had been her attitude which had lead her here, she had clashed with the new Director and been sidelined. That thought now made her very wary of this appointment, "I had this discussion once before, it ended with me being sidelined and placed here out of the way. Now your saying you want me to go through all that again? Just where am I going to end up this time?" Lia knew if push came to shove, Phoenix would have to back the Ambassador. But why was Gary all fired up about this sideways move? It felt as if she was being punished once again for being who she was, "I'm still not convinced as to why me, the ship's intelligence department is a joke. It's small and undermanned, plus the ship's defence department is outside of it's control". She decided to go for broke, "To be halfway effective, you need to combine those departments. Then any Officers joining the new department, would need Marine weapons and fitness training". She stopped and looked at the assembled group, she had placed certain demands before them and still hadn't committed to even take the damn job. How would they react?

"Any adjustments to the roster would be your Captain's purview, but getting you the new people you want, that can be arranged." The holo-Ambassador nodded, "And this straight talk is why I think you're the woman for the job. I'll want you to work closely with Diplomatic, our new Legate will need good intelligence, and from someone she trusts enough to listen to. Believe me when I tell you, the frying pan is behind you all now, the inferno awaits. So, if you've still got the balls, I look forward to working with you."

Lia now shot a look straight at the Holo-Ambassador, "Work with diplomatic? Seriously?" You are aware that we have an Ojnas Consul onboard, just how close do I work with her? Anje I can get along with, and hopefully she'll listen. But that Ojnas Lieutenant is nobody's fool, from what I've heard as a species their psychic ability isn't to be messed around with". She now stood up and approached the Ambassador, "Do the Ojnas figure in this little drama that's about to befall us? Or are we gonna just let the poor girl die in ignorance?" She turned and addressed the Captain and Gary, "Ok, lets say I agree to this sideways move. What benefit to my career is it going to have? Or is there a cell on Rura Penthe, with my name on it?"

'Lia, there isn't any cell with your name on it. If there was we would all have one. As to the benefit to your career, your helping the Admiral and the Federation and she has a long memory and can be helpful in moving career upward." Gary replied.

"Would you do it? If she asked you, would you?" Lia now realised that her future on the Elysium depended on accepting this move, she didn't want it but what else was there? Her Captain was in agreement with it, her boyfriend seemed determined that she take it. "Ok you win, looks like Security and Tactical has a new Chief. But if Morris screws it up, I'm gonna chuck him out of an airlock personally". She walked back to her chair and sat down, "So when do I become the new Intelligence Chief? And who do I answer to? Captain Phoenix Lalor or Ambassador Anje Zhukov?" For now her fighting spirit was gone, she felt lost and alone as if they had taken her job away from her. But if she had to play spy for them, then they would have to play her game also. She decided that this new department was going to be the best she could make it, and nobody was going to get in the way of that.

Gary nodded, "Yes, I would and I have both in the past and now. The Admiral has my undying loyalty and she knows that." He chuckled at Lia's comment about Morris, "If he screws up, I'll help you."

"Chain of command remains as it stands, You would report to me." Phoenix said. "You have always been about the security of this ship Commander, I expect your new post to be no different in its scope."

Lia nodded, "This ship is my home, sounds stupid I know but it's true. I think of this crew like a family, and my close friends almost like brothers and sisters. Except the XO, he's got a slightly different emotional connection". She looked at the assembled people and smiled, "I'll do my best for you Captain, I promise you that".

"I know that you will as you always have." Phoenix replied with a smile.

"And I'll try not to be too much of a nuisance for you,Lia." Zhukov promised, "Or for poor Norris. Hell, if it helps I won't even be too much of a burden for Little Anje. I mean going forward of course. As for the Ojnas, I will leave that to the discretion of you three, if I trust you enough for what I've asked, I can surely trust you enough for that." She paused for a second, "As for Morris, don't rough him up too bad, he's kind of cute."

Gary smirked at the Admiral, "I noticed you conveniently avoided mentioning my name Admiral. Any reason for that?" His joying a glint of amusement.

"Oh, fine, fine." Zhukov sighed, "Don't rough up Taylor too bad, either. Oh, by the way, who's going to comfort poor Lt. Norris?"

Gary threw his hands up in surrender, "I give up. Out numbered, out brassed and out classed."

"Poor boy, he needs more women here as much as Custer need more Sioux." Zhukov laughed, though she was still somewhat worried about Norris, ~Poor girl probably wants my head already...~

"With the same amount of success." Gary bantered back to the Admiral.

"Think it's rough now, my boy? Wait until I've had time to teach them a couple tricks." The Mother of Spies laughed, "Now, is there anything else I can clarify to make all this more palatable for you, Cdr. Holmes? Or any of you?"

Phoenix shook her head. "No thank you Ambassador. Thank you for your time and coming here."

"Good." The Admiral smiled, things were all coming together, "Now, one of you go hug poor Norris, when I vanish in a second every bit of evidence that I was ever here is going with me. Poor child will probably have a conniption."

Listening to everyone, Lia wondered just what she had got into. "Ambassador, I maybe rather forwards at times. But I'll do my best, and if you need to talk to me.........Just call".

"I once knew a mouthy, opinionated, pushy bitch like you." Zhukov laughed, "They made her an Admiral, then an Ambassador. I see a great future ahead for you, Commander." With that, the Admiral vanished, taking with her all the evidence she'd ever been there at all...

"Ach! Sonofabitch!" Gallia growled from the bridge, "Shay did it again!"

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