Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Cochrane’s Quarters- Loose Threads

Posted by Lieutenant Faye Calloway (Mission Specialist) in Cochrane’s Quarters- Loose Threads

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Cochrane’s Quarters- Loose Threads
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Faye walked silently beside her mother, leading the way to the Deck Two. It was a strangely comfortable silence and while Faye wasn’t entirely sure what to make of that, she was glad for the quiet. Anything other than the idle chit chat that was meaningless. Though, on the other hand, that was probably better than her mother trying to connect more. Her brain hadn’t quite caught up with the fact that the later she had pondered would (presumably) actually happen, and that meant that there could be a time when her mother and her would actually sit down and properly talk. Without a forcefield between them, of course. Approaching Cochrane’s quarters, she wasn’t entirely sure if she was glad for that opportunity or disconcerted by it.

Reaching the door she stood in front of it and it was as if her body was suddenly moving through water. She didn’t want to go int there. She didn’t want to see him. Not yet. Was it to much to ask? She wasn’t sure.

As if sensing her hesitancy, her mother reached out and pressed the chime instead.

~The Calloways

The door slid open silently. There was no sound coming from the room but a voice said “Enter.” It was Cochrane’s voice, and it wasn’t happy.

Shara waited till Faye made the first step and discreetly followed behind her, more out of encouragement than anything. Faye took a few steps in adn just stopped, eyes cast slightly downwards.

The Captain was seated at the desk to the far side of the room, his back to a corner. Two chairs had obviously been dragged from the seating are to in front of the desk. As the two Calloways entered, he simply pointed to the chairs and continued tapping on the desk interface.

Shara gave a nod and very gently tapped Faye’s elbow to draw her attention. They both sat without a word. It was hard for Shara to resist the urge to be motherly at the moment, but part of gauging the current situation was allowing Faye herself to figure out where she was at mentally and emotionally. Though as she watched Faye for a moment, she could see her daughter subtly pressing the nail of her forefinger into the pad of her thumb in a slow repetition.

After a few moments, he stopped what he was doing and looked up at them. “First and foremost… Faye. How are you doing? Are you all right, Lieutenant?” he asked with some concern.

Cochrane, CO

All right? Was she all right? She managed to come out of the whole thing physically intact, though not perfectly unharmed. But hey beggars can’t be choosers and all that. Though she lifted her head slightly, her eyes did not meet Alex’s. “Just peachy…” she said dryly.

~The Calloways

Cochrane glared at her, but kept his voice even. “Lieutenant… now isn’t the time for sarcasm. I know that what you have just been through has been taxing, to say the least. But I need you to hold it together for a few more minutes.” His face softened slightly and he said “You have to get on record as to what happened… right now, Faye. And it has to be clear and concise. Because in an hour all hell is going to break loose in Intel and Fleet Command. So… Can you do that? Please?”

Cochrane, CO

Faye stilled the response that threatened to escape her mouth and definitely wouldn’t help her or the situation. Instead she took a deep breath and allowed herself to pretend the other two people in the room were perfect strangers. It was far easier than allowing her mind to even contemplate the difficult situation she was currently in. She lifted the PADD. “These are the coordinates that the imposter used to send a message. I take it you haven’t yet listened to the recording or else you’d know the situation very clearly for yourself. Basically, he tried to do everything he could to make it appear like I was mentally unstable and unfit for duty. But having called his bluff and called him out on his identity, I managed to catch him out. There is a lovely moment after when he whispered the truth to me and all I can say is that I hope the recording caught it because otherwise I’m screwed,” she said flatly.

Cochrane said flatly “I actually have, and yes… the recording caught it.”

Shara sighed slightly. “I heard it. The false Strickland threatened to put Faye into isolation for months. Threatened inhumane treatment too. He also confirmed that Strickland was still alive and that she might get to see him one last time before they locked her away. Those coordinates are very likely where they are keeping Strickland, so it’s imperative that we get all this information to Rear Admiral Greyson ASAP. But my estimation, the False Strickland wasn’t expecting us to run a con on him, so it’s likely his people don’t know something is up yet. We have time, but I don’t how much.”

Faye’s gaze drifted elsewhere. She wanted to ignore her mother’s words but it was pointless. She already had the conversation with that man repeating in her head. It was the promise of her worst possible fears coming true and it was the edge of glee in his voice that still made her want to shudder.

~The Calloways

Cochrane looked at Shara and said “We aren’t sending this to Greyson or anyone in Intel. We don’t know who is compromised, complicit… or even who is who they say they are. At least… not yet. First, we are going to put eyes… trustworthy eyes… on that location. And that I have just arraigned for. And while that is being done, Faye, you are going to get some sleep and then go see the Counselor. No arguments. But under no circumstances is anyone to relay what has happened off this ship without my express permission. Are we clear?” and his eyes moved back and forth between the two women.

Cochrane, CO

Faye nodded. Everything he said made sense given what all had just gone down and she couldn’t argue with his logic. But neither was the reality of the situation that simple. You could order someone to bed, but you couldn’t make them sleep. Faye craved sleep. Desperately. But whether she could have something that amounted to restful slumber was an entirely different question.

Rising to her feet, Faye still hadn’t managed to look him in the eye. But she wasn’t arguing and since her usual defence (sarcasm) had been essentially removed, Faye didn’t have anything left. “Permission to be dismissed? I’d like to get to that sleep thing now.”

~Faye Calloway