Posted by Lieutenant Kohana Black Wolf (Intelligence Officer/Helm) in Secure Communication Center - Let’s Chat

Posted by Gamemaster Alias Smith N. Jones, Esq. (Gamemaster) in Secure Communication Center - Let’s Chat

Posted by Civilian Micah Pikelsimer (Federation Security Agent) in Secure Communication Center - Let’s Chat
Posted by… suppressed (12) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Pikelsimer had finally filed the last of his reports with FedSec and made sure that the crew was officially cleared and back in the good graces of the Federation and Star Fleet. As he waited for final confirmation, he drummed the metal fingers of his left hand on the desk. Finally deciding now was the time, he tapped the comms and said =/\= Agent Pikelsimer to Lieutenant Black Wolf. Come see me in Secure Comms when you have a moment. =/\=

Pikelsimer, FedSec

Having just finished a light meal. Kohana hit his comm badge to reply. =^=On my way, agent.=^=

Cleaning off the table and throwing his refuse in the recycler, he wondered what the Federation Security man might want.

A few moments later the Intel JO entered his security code into the lock of the SCC and entered.

“Agent Pikelsimer, you asked to see me?”

Lieutenant Kohana Black Wolf
Intelligence Officer/Helm USS Asimov

The FedSec agent was seated at the console and looking at a myriad of monitors. When the door opened, the screens went blank and Pikelsimer turned around and looked at Black Wolf. “Yeah, L-T. Come on in and have a seat.” He used his foot to slide another chair from under the desk towards the Intel Officer. He said “You get all your debriefs done for the last op? Nothing hanging out there left to do, is there?”

Pikelsimer, FedSec

“I completed them the best I could Having come into the mission quite a way already into, and NOT having been briefed by Intel on all the intricacies that were involved. . . .”

He sat in the offered seat. “I did add in my reports that I was ill-prepared for my part in this. Though, that was no fault of the command team here on the ship. My frustration was with Intel itself. They could have given me a more thorough briefing before I got here. Definitely a lack of communication on their end.”

Lieutenant Kohana Black Wolf
Intelligence Officer/Helm USS Asimov

Pikelsimer smirked. “Yeah… kinda par for the course with that group from my experience.” He took a breath and then said “Listen… I wanna apologize for coming at ya like I did when you first came on. That op was… well… harder on a lotta folks than anyone really expected. And you didn’t deserve me talkin’ down ta ya like that. I know you know what you’re doin’. I was just pissed and you not getting a full briefing before being dropped headfirst in the s#!t ain’t no reason for me to go an talk to ya like you are some kinda new recruit. So… and he held out his hand, “… we good? I’m gonna be around here for the foreseeable future and I don’t want any bad blood ‘tween us.”

Pikelsimer, FedSec

Kohana listened carefully to Micah’s words and actions After a silent moment, he grasped the intel agents hand and shook.

“Yes, we’re good, agent. I appreciate that very much. I’ve come to realize that there were a LOT of personal issues with members of the crew involved In fact, that might be why I was sent here, because I didn’t have those personal feelings that many of you had.”

“I do have to question Intel’s reasoning for assigning this mission to the Asimov. I’m sure they felt the Asimov had the best chance at success, but were thay aware of the personal ties the mission had?”

Lieutenant Kohana Black Wolf
Intelligence Officer/Helm USS Asimov

Pikelsimer looked at him for a moment and then said “Intel didn’t assign it. I did.” and he exhaled slowly. “There were so many leaks and breaches in Fkeet Intel ‘cause that, we couldn’t trust anyone. So when it came time to assign a team… well… didn’t really have a helluva lotta choice. Trust me, I looked.”

Pikelsimer, FedSec

Kohana furrowed his brow and asked, “So . . . do you request my presence here? Or did Intel SEND me here, to keep an eye on you? That’s probably why there had no brieging for me. They didn’t know what was going on and wanted a mole on board. They wanted someone inside, to keep track of how many violations you racked up?”

Pikelsimer laughed. “Oh, son… I’m FedSec. And a Senior Agent at that. Star Fleet Intelligence doesn’t keep an eye on me. I keep an eye on them*.” and he winked at Black Wolf. “But I think you might be half right, there. Y’alls command gets a real bee in their bonnet when we pull their assets for operations outside ‘a their purview. So it would make sense that they would want to drop someone new and ‘unaffiliated’ into the mix with the hopes they could glean whatever info they could.”

“If it helps to build trust between, rest assured I never made any reports to Intel. All the records I kept went to Command, and hoped it was helpful in clearing everybody”

Lieutenant Kohana Black Wolf
Intelligence Officer/Helm USS Asimov

Pikelsimer waved of the statement about trust with his metal hand. “No no no.. trust ain’t an issue ‘tween you and I. I think the past months workin’ together has established a… let’s call it ‘professional admiration’ ‘tween us. I know you are good at what you do. And you helped out on more than a few occasions… a testament to your abilities, since you were dropped in cold. And I hope, at least, that you can see I know what the hell I’m doing since we all made it back with only moderate mental and emotional trauma.” and he grinned sarcastically.

Pikelsimer, FedSec

“Thank you, I appreciate that, agent,” Kohana replied. “With the experience both you and Cmdr. Calloway have, I feel fortunate to be aboard the Asimov. I can learn a lot from the both of you.”

“Speaking of the commander, forgive me if I’m overstepping, but it seems that this mission took a great toll on her. It seems she’s having a hard time transitioning back to a regular shipboard routine. I’ve offered her some help, and she is considering my offer. . . . ”

Lieutenant Kohana Black Wolf
Intelligence Officer/Helm USS Asimov

Micah sighed heavily. “Yeah…” Micah said and took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. He leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees, flesh and metal fingers interlaced and he looked directly at Black Wolf. “Listen. There is something about this job that you need to learn; and gods above knows I wish somebody would’a told me when I was your age. This job takes over your life. Not the travel, the long absences, the danger, the constant fear of being found out or worse. Naw, it takes over who you are… who you as an individual are. It eats away at the core of you. Everytime you go undercover, every time you hide yourself… you give away a little piece of your soul to embrace whatever role you need to be in. It’s the only way you can convince others that you are who you say you are. You have to believe that with whole being. And the more you do that, the more of ‘you’ you give away for the sake of the job… the less of you there is. And then the harder it gets to get back to your true self. You have to dig through these myriad identities and histories and personalities to find the real you. And by the time you have done this as long as Shar and me? Well… that means there’s pro’lly more made up than real left.” He chuckled and leaned back, still looking at Black Wolf. “She and I have done this s#!t a really long time, L-T. Longer than you’ve been breathing. That time in is not normal. One’a the reasons we get called when everythin’s gone ta the crapper. We’ve either seen it before, or we’ve seen sumthin’ similar and we know what works and what don’t. But there’s a price we have ta pay for that knowledge and expertise. And that is ourselves. What that means, ta’ cycle back to your statement, is that it gets really hard ta let go after an operation. Shara’s in that transition right now. But it’ll take a while for ‘Elaine’ to go all the way away.” He took another deep breath. “Don’t let yerself get lost in this work, amigo. And it’ll consume you if you aren’t careful.”

Pikelsimer, FedSec

“Though, like you said, I haven’t been in the business as long as you and the Commander, I have done my share of deep cover, in which I’ve had to create a few legends of my own. The latest, being a smuggler named Rory Lycus.”

Micah smiled a knowing smile. Wait till you have to play your Rory Lycus for five years. Then we’ll see how your perspective shifts. he thought to himself, but kept silent.

Kohana shifted his position and continued. “When I leave him, I’ve found it very helpful to participate in a sweat lodge cleansing ceremony. By taking part in these ceremonies, I’ve been able to refocus and re-balance myself to who Kohana Black Wolf is. At the same time, it cleanses the body and spirit, as well as the mind. I offered to set up this ritual to Cmdr. Calloway as a way to help her find balance again, and cleanse her spirit. It is my hope that she would find this as beneficial as I have over the years. The invitation is open to you, as well, Agent.”

Lieutenant Kohana Black Wolf
Intelligence Officer/Helm USS Asimov

Pikelsimer shook his head and said “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m good. But if she asks me, I’ll prolly’ do it… for her. My spirit is a bit past cleaning at this point.” and he laughed.

Pikelsimer, FedSec

“Very well, but the offer still stands, Agent. More than anyone, I would expect you to appreciate the mysteries of the universe. . . or the spirit world.”

Pikelsimer arced an eyebrow at him in surprise at the assessment, but said nothing.

Kohana stood from his seat and offered his hand once again.

“I’m glad we had this talk, sir, and a chance to start anew. I appreciate it Unless there’s anything else, I’ll take my leave. I’m due back at the helm in a few minutes. . . . “

Lieutenant Kohana Black Wolf
Intelligence Officer/Helm USS Asimov

Pikelsimer stood up and took the offered hand in a firm but friendly grip. “I’m glad, as well. If you ever need an ear to bend, let me know. And yeah yeah… go do your thing. I’ll see ya around, I’m sure.” he said and nodded once before letting go of Black Wolf’s hand and sitting back down and turning back to the computer.

Pikelsimer, FedSec