Looking for a Back Door
Posted on Sun Dec 27th, 2020 @ 7:28am by Staff Warrant Officer Jennifer Masters - Calhoun
Edited on on Wed Dec 30th, 2020 @ 9:30am
928 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Episode 11 - Family Matters
Location: SCIF - Deck 9 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD001 1130 hrs
Richard paused a moment then stepped forward opening the door to the intelligence department. I wasn't as comfortable in this area of the ship as he was in other and the world behind the doors where more of a mystery, one he really didn't want to explore too much.
In the physician's hand was a PaDD, this one black, a color he typically didn't use. Black, at least in this case identified where he was storing data he had just gleaned from Fahli' and her own research into the illegal and secretive genetic modifications and engineering being conducted within the Azzian Board of Health building on their homeworld.
He stepped aside to avoid getting run into by a crewman intent on the PaDD he was reading. Ballston stayed quiet not wanting to make a big sceen that he was present or what had just happened. His pale eyes searched for a familiar faces the computer said was in the department.
Jenn silently walked in from behind. "You know, doctor, with your current security level you're not supposed to be here." She past him and then gestured to her office. "But let me guess, you need more info on your people?" She smiled. "Please come into my office."
Richard smiled, a bit sheepishly, but followed the woman into her office. He tilted his head and nodded, "I was hoping you'de help me, and yes it does have to do with the Azzians."
The physician offered her his PaDD and nodded again, "Fahli' was able to gather some puzzling information that seems to confirm the experiments are going on but it seems the leadership is merely turning a blind eye rather than stopping it."
Jenn looked at the PaDD and nodded. "Interesting, politicians turning a blind eye. They may have a stake in this, or bribery and blackmail maybe involved. So what is it that I can do for you?"
"I know this isn't exactly the Intelligence Departments normal area but I," Richard said offering a smile, "I was hoping you could check on Fahli', she's decided to do her own investigation using her connections in the Azzian Board of health. He drew in a deep breath, "I don't want to contact her or talk about any of this because it could put her in further danger."
"Oh, sounds like someone is on an undercover mission. And you want to extract the information without causing any suspicion to your spouse?"Jen asked. "Well, you really don't know how the Human Intelligence work, do you? That is our specialty. We send in lots of operatives on various locations and we then extract them without arousing any suspicion to our agents otherwise we compromise the operation. This is my specialty. I could use the Starfleet diplomatic coms to contact her. Usually, that never rouses any suspicion. If it's information you need from her, it's best not to speak with her over coms. Even if we asked to use secure lines, that on itself would rouse suspicion. I would suggest once we contacted her to meet her at a neutral location."
Richard paused a moment and took in a deep breath, "yes I do wish to get the information but, after what happened on Empoc Nor, the murder of one of my wives and the kidnapping of my daughter because I stumbled onto their illegal research, It's probably not safe for me to contact her at all." He furrowed his brow then chuckled, "and you're right I don't know much about human intelligence operations."
Jenn thought a moment. "I see the predicament in that case I could also see if our new diplomatic officer contacts. She could ask your spouse if she has any messages. At least she can relay she is doing alright. To extract the intell we have to extract her. That requires a little more planning and we may need permission from the captain to go on a diplomatic mission. Do your people accept a starfleet diplomatic envoy?"
Richard nodded, "I understand they are." He hesitated and added, "they're hoping to become a member of the Federation at some point and I'm hoping pressure can be placed on them to figure out who's doing the research and get it to shut down before they complete a successful experiment. You might recall I was considered the result of genetically altering humans, I'm sure in a society where even hybrids are not present these individuals would face much of the same experiences I did."
"Well we could use their desire to become a member of the Federation. Do you want to do this?" Jen looked to him intently. "If we're going to do this we have to do this my way. Understand?"
"I do," Richard replied with a nod, "and I understood before I came that it would have to be your way."
The physician looked back at her with keen interest, "just keep her safe, if the government is behind this then they don't deserve membership into the Federation."
"You have my word," Jenn said nodding to the doctor. "I will speak to the captain and the our diplomatic officer and I will set up the mission."
"Thank you," Richard replied giving the woman a warm smile, "I really appreciate this."
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Richard Ballston M.D. PsyD
Assistant Chief Medical Officer, USS Pioneer
Staff Warrant Officer Jennifer Masters-Calhoun
Chief Intelligence Officer, USS Pioneer
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