Posted by Lieutenant Cara Esmé Mardusk (Counselor / Education Specialist) in Counsellor’s Office - Intelligence Annoyance

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Peter Sigmundsson (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Counsellor’s Office - Intelligence Annoyance

Posted by Lieutenant Cara Esmé Mardusk (Counselor / Education Specialist) in Counsellor’s Office - Intelligence Annoyance
Posted by… suppressed (10) by the Post Ghost! 👻
It was a standard day on the USS Atlantis, members of the crew walked around going about their business. each and every one was ignoring the giant pacing outside the counsellors office.

Peter Sigmundsson didn’t generally like seeing a psychologist, especially not when the matter was so personal but he needed advice and advice that no one could speak about. He’d already booked a meeting with the counsellor and had been pacing outside her office for a good half hour. Finally he tapped the chime to her office.

CIO

The door opened immediately. “Cmdr Sigmundsson, come in,” Cara stepped back out of the way. The Intel officer was far over due for his regular eval. He was one of those that Cara had to chase down, but he’d requested this which was curious. Whatever brought him here, she was sure he would tell her soon enough.

Immediately to the left of the door was a desk. A variety of places to sit and low tables dotted the rest of the open area. Including a large and reinforced couch. The right wall was taken up with a wall to wall, floor to ceiling storage until. Books, various pieces of art, and nick knacks covered the shelves. “Help yerself te the replicator and have a seat.” O’Farrell grabbed a glass of tea off her desk and had a seat in one of the chairs.

Lt. Mardusk, counselor

Peter nodded slowly as he stepped in and scanned the room, as was his habit. He clasped his hands behind his back and walked in “Congratulations on your nuptials, Mrs. Mardusk” He inclined his head in a slight bow. At her age, he’d been on his second marriage ill fated as it was. He walked to the replicator and started tapping the screen instead of verbally commanding the computer, Cara would have seen him speak with the replicator over the years so this was not a habit.

“Thank ya, Cmdr.” She smiled as she instinctually glanced down at the ring on her finger. The cuff of House Noggra was hidden under the sleeve of her uniform, but she could feel it’s weight none-the-less.

“Ever been to a Risian wedding?” He asked as he kept tapping, “Extravagant affair, my second marriage was to a Risian, we had twelve hundred guests and the celebration lasted two weeks. The divorce was nearly twice as big and lasted nearly a month” He chukled as the replicator hummed and produced a ceramic cup with some sort of tea. He took the cup and sat down. “He used to say that life without celebration is hardly worth it” Peter had the same wooden expression on as always as he spoke.

“I have no had the pleasure. I understand that Risian celebrations are quite extravagant though.” It was interesting to hear him chuckle. All of her interactions with Peter were very focused and he was quite stoic.

He took a sip and sighed “I’m generally a fairly private person, but not secretive. I don’t mind answering questions, but people are generally too intimidated to ask. I say this to preface that what I’m going to speak on is not a collection of secrets kept hidden, just private.” He adjusted his expression; he seemed less stiff, and it was clear that his usual wooden expression was something he put on instead of his natural expression “I resigned my commission when I was 27, my ship the Morton had been apart of the defensive fleet during the Borg attack on Earth in the Early Seventies then almost immediately after the Dominion war happened.”

Peter grimaced, usually he didn’t mind speaking about the war, especially not to his psychologist “During those three years, I discovered that I have exceptional talents when it comes to warfare, a lot of my generation discovered this and like most of us who discovered this I did not particularly enjoy that aspect of myself.” He shook his head “I’ve come to terms with that, and that’s not the point of telling you this. Apologies, I don’t usually ramble, I’m trying to build a picture of events, give context to my life.”

Cara nodded as he spoke, to acknowledge she had heard him, but she didn’t interrupt. Once people got going, it was best not to stop them. As he reached for his cup, she did speak briefly. “It’s alright ta ramble. Helps us get our thoughts in order.”

He took a sip “Anyway, I found myself disillusioned with Starfleet after the war, that combined with the end of my engagement, so I resigned my commission and took work on a private freighter. I did that for a decade. It was there that I met Lunama. We fell for each other hard, we married and stayed together for a while. Over that time we discovered that we were both working as operatives for our governments, I for Starfleet Intelligence and she for the Tal Shiar. We had a rather loud divorce after that and didn’t meet again for some time.” He’d put the cup down and had interlocked his fingers and was looking straight at Cara. “After tempers cooled down and we stopped trying to kill each other, we’d stay in contact on occasion, unofficially exchanging intelligence.”

“About fifteen years ago, I resigned my commission again, this time under orders to deal with some personal issues. I infiltrated a criminal syndicate with loose Intelligence support. Lunama reached out, she was undercover herself within the same group, so we worked together. She helped establish my cover and I helped her conclude her assignment. A few months after she left, she met me again only this time she was fairly pregnant. We had a long discussion, deep declarations of love and decided to get married.” Peter smiled, most people assumed that he was unpracticed at it so they were often surprised at the warmth of the expression “Amusingly, this helped cement my cover within the Cartel, men with families are easier to control” His smile was distinctly amused

The smile absolutely transformed his personality. It was quite delightful to see a glimpse of the man beneath the mask. Cara could see how someone could fall fast and quick for him.

“Well, in any case, I have a daughter. Latila Dís. She’s just turned twelve. She’s mostly been raised within the Romulan Empire, but she’ll spend summers in the Federation. That’s where I spend most of my time off, I have a small place on Qualor. On occasion, I visit them. Luna’s mother is a Senior Senator; her family owns a large part of one of the Empire’s earlier expansionary colonies, not far from the Neutral Zone.” Peter paused to let that sync in, it was very much like dropping a bomb in a conversation. There were maybe two dozen people who knew this: his immediate family and some senior members of Starfleet Intelligence… and now Cara.

Her face gave nothing away. So he was married at least 4 times, by his account today. Remarried to the same woman a second time, to another intelligence operative of a different government. He has a daughter that he sees regularly. With a rather well connected Romulan family. The man certainly had an interesting personal story.

“That leads to the reason I’m here, Luna has received a new long-term assignment. It’s a navy assignment, and the Imperial Navy doesn’t have the same views on families on starships as we do. So she’s suggested that Latila come stay with me. Originally, I’d offered to get a more settled assignment, but Lunama wants our daughter to learn more about the Federation and Starfleet so she can decide where she’d want to live when she grows up.” Peter grabbed his cup and took a long sip

“I just spent an hour getting bullied by my secret Tal Shiar wife and my Romulan Imperial Senator mother-in-law into letting our, again I emphasise, secret daughter that only exists in a data archive on Earth and some Starfleet intelligence vault, You get the idea, into getting her a place on the Atlantis” He leaned back in his seat. This was likely the most Cara had heard Peter speak in the three years he’d been assigned to the Atlantis, at least consecutively. “So before I decide to officially reveal her existence, I need some… advice?” he sounded unsure “perhaps just a neutral perspective” His half smile returned “It helps that this is confidential”

CIO

They were still married. He was on speaking terms with his mother-in-law. He had a whole other life going on that no one knew about. It wasn’t completely unique, but a rare situation. Cara took the time to take a drink of her tea before answering. “Well I can give ya my opinion, but it is biased. I have no children of my own, I have a very close family, even extended, and I’m a Dadai’s girl. So just ta put that out on the table.”

“I don’a know yer daughter, but as a daughter myself, I would give anythin’ ta spend time with my father who was away a lot. Ta have extra time with him, and be involved in more of his life.”

“As a Star Fleet officer, we do work at times in dangerous situations. As ya said though, ya could ask for a calmer postin’. Even if yer wife wants Latila ta experience more of the Federation and Star Fleet, that can be done on a tamer post. Ya know better than most the dangers, so even if ya know ya can protect yerself, ya have to weigh her safety and yer ability ta protect her amongst all the unknown variables.”

“As for her being secret. Well we’ve made huge strides in our relationship with the Romulan’s since their star went nova. And ya said yer superiors at Intel already know about her and yer wife. So, and I may be incorrect, there is no official or shadowy danger ta her if ya do.”

Peter shrugged “The secret was mostly kept out of habit, I was undercover for a year after she was born then I went straight back to the Viking for my first official Intel post, mostly to throw off any potential fallout from my work. I’ve always been a creature of habit. But no you are correct, there is no real danger” The last remnants of possible risk to Latila were particles of dust in an unremarkable system.

“I think what ya have ta decide, is outside of the realm of duty. Do ya want yer daughter here with ya. Do ya want to spend time as a physically close family. Do ya want ta seize this opportunity ta bond with her more than ya have been able ta do before? Then, do ya want ta do that at yer home on Qualor or do ya want ta bring her here, where yer work and yer colleagues are?”

Lt. Mardusk, counselor

Peter picked up the cup, sniffed it, frowned and put the cup back down. Then he stood up, clasped his hands behind his back and started slowly pacing “My father was killed by the Borg, just before Wolf 359, He was a Cargo ship Captain, he rammed the cube to cover the fact that he’d stuffed his crew in a cargo container and covered the area with thousands of tonnes of various gasses they were carrying. Seven lives saved. I was nineteen years old” He looked at Cara “I got nineteen years with my father, and I’d trade almost anything for just a few more hours” He sat back down with a heavy thud. He was usually careful when sitting down due to his bulk

He was silent for a moment, then laughed quietly, “You know I’m a very decisive person, I weigh options, I plan, I strategise, and then I act. I don’t second-guess, I don’t doubt my decisions, I trust my instincts” Peter sighed again and grabbed the cup of tea and downed it “I once fought a dragon that spewed hot candy floss with only a knife in a cave made out of pure chocolate and that was less confusing than making this decision.” He snorted, “I didn’t think I’d ever want my daughter here, but I’ve spent some time with the child over these past weeks” He was referring to Jessa “They’re about the same age, although Latila is unfortunately a far better liar” He frowned “Who would’ve guessed that being raised by two spies resulted in that” He looked up again “There’s no question about spending more time with her, I will be doing that. However, I’ve come to like this ship, this crew, and I want to see the end of this mess with the Union” He was also curious to see if he could destabilise an intergalactic empire by manipulating their dogmatic religious views .

CIO

Cara didn’t respond right away. She let his words sink in. “What is more concerning there for ya? Havin’ ta work on endin’ this with the Union and time away from her, or the risk ta her being here? I’m no a parent, yet. And I can’a get the image of those children in the pods out of my head.” She was reminded fiercely every time a parent called her to help when one of the children woke up from a night terror and couldn’t be calmed.

Lt. Mardusk, counselor

Peter smiled softly “I’m not overly concerned with the Union threat” He raised a hand “Let me rephrase: my concern is not for potential violence, that can be mitigated and contingencies can be built, they are cruel, arrogant, overly confident in their own rightousnes destiny” For a moment he considered finally mentioning that he’d been involved in the disappearance of Zala Tsu, and was responsible for her death but immediately dismissed the thought.

Cara didn’t disagree. No one was unbeatable. The Dominion learned that. That didn’t mean that Cara wanted to see the Federation enter into another war either.

Suddenly he frowned “Damn, I talked myself into it” He realised he’d made the decision when Cara was speaking about what he wanted to do “They’re going to be inssufferable” He put his head in his hands “You know sometimes I miss the time when Luna’s mother used to send people to try to kill me, at least then the two wern’t on the same side” He looked up with a sheepish grin “Just ignore that”

CIO

Cara’s eyes danced even as she suppressed a smile. She had a feeling Peter had already decided, he just had to realize it. “Ignore what?” she asked innocently. Far too innocently and convincingly. “So, you’ve decided to bring your daughter on board. What can I do to help you facilitate that?” There were several things, as counselor, that Cara could sign official requests for to help the transition. Everything from recommendation for family to come aboard, to requests for family quarters, to helping get everything settled for Latila to enter school. Though she had no doubt that Peter was more than capable of handling all of that on his own.

Lt. Mardusk, counselor

Peter leaned back and groaned “Right, paperwork, you know most of my job is actually just paperwork, I read reports, sign off on them, write reports, sign off on them.” He rubbed his temple “I suppose I could do with some help speaking with the teachers. Latila has some Federation schooling, but not a lot; she’s fairly well-versed in Federation societal thinking, but she might need some additional schoolwork, and I’ve found that having a non-threatening presence around tends to make the Civilians on the ship…” He paused “Less nervous” He scratched his head “My deputy says that some of… well, most of the civilians and some of the junior crew have some misconceptions about me and my history. There seem to be some powerful gossips on the ship. He personally blamed the Marines.

CIO

bump

“I don’t think any senior officer can escape rumors. Yer particular branch seems ta gather more than its fair share of the gossip.” Cara stood and moved over to her desk and grabbed a PaDD. “Certainly, I can help ya with the enrollment.” Then she returned and tapped away at it. “Let’s see what times Mr. Mikhail has to enroll a new student. Would ya like ta do ot before or after she arrives?”

Lt. Mardusk, counselor

Peter crossed his legs “Before, thank you” He said simply.

CIO

After narrowing down an approximate date and giving time for records to be transferred, Cara passed over the PaDD with a list of appointment options. “Pick what works for ya, and I’ll be there ta help facilitate.”

Lt. Mardusk, counselor

Peter quickly eyed the PaDD then simply picked the closest time “Benefit of running an intelligence department is making your own hours” He said with a slight chuckle as he handed the PaDD back “Although I do miss serving on the Viking” He mentioned the now decomissioned olde cruiser, the ship was generally considered a haunted punishment posting in its later years of active service “They had several decks out of service and I used to have an entire half deck for…” He paused “Shenanigans”

CIO