Posted by Lieutenant Belle Harper (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Side sim - Captain’s Desk - Daily Brief

Posted by Captain Molly Holloway (Commanding Officer) in Side sim - Captain’s Desk - Daily Brief

Posted by Lieutenant Belle Harper (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Side sim - Captain’s Desk - Daily Brief
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For her own safety? What were they afraid of? What could Belle do to her?

Confused, Molly stumbled backwards as the Ensigns intervened. So was that what they were? Body guards?

Sadness and confusion mixed in her gaze as she turned to face Belle again. Her expression making her feelings painfully clear – her heart hadn’t been broken. It had been crushed.

“Really, guys?” Belle asked the intruding security NEs. There was a slight tone of annoyance that made her sound more like her old self than she had so far.

“What happened?” She finally asked the new Intelligence Chief. “Why do I need to stand back? Is there something I should be afraid of?” The questions were not uttered softly, as if she was sorry for the woman, even though she was. But rather, the disbelief she felt and the authority her position held on board the Dresden seeped through her tone and into her words.

Holloway, CO

Lt. Harper looked at the captain. “I can’t talk a lot about what happened as it is classified. Suffice to say, someone had the foresight enough to place my body in a cryogenic freezer before they evacuated the Montgomery. When she was found they found me inside. I was reanimated. That’s about all I am allowed to say.” If Molly was paying attention she might notice the smallest hint of longing in Belle’s voice, a want to tell her everything. It was subtle but it was there.

To hear Belle speak as naturally as she remembered it, almost made Molly forget that Harper had changed. She nodded in understanding.

“As for these two idiots,” she said, nodding to the NEs still separating the captain from herself, “don’t mind them. They’re just afraid I’m going to assimilate you.”

-Lt. Harper, CIO

“Assimilate me!?” The surprise in Holloway’s voice was evident. “Wait… were you–?” Molly’s voice trailed off. She wanted to ask if it had been the Borg that had found and reanimated her, but she quickly remembered that Belle had mentioned the information being classified. The fact was that, although Holloway could see the similarities between Belle and a Borg drone, there were also a few things that were off – the lack of external implants, the fact that she seemed to think on her own without being connected to a hive mind… why were the two Ensigns reacting in such a fashion? Molly shook it as likely being due to inexperience. They had a lot to learn still.

Molly turned to the two Security Ensigns. “Ensigns… Laurel and John… right?” She asked as confirmation. Holloway had just seen her names on the list of new personnel, but she didn’t think that they had come on board to follow Belle around. “While I do appreciate the concern, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. So… if you don’t mind I would like to speak with Lieutenant Harper alone for a moment. You are dismissed.” There was a polite smile on her lips, but one that those familiar with Molly would take as a warning. “That’s an order.” Her tone was respectful, but forceful.
NE Hardy had opened his mouth to protest but was silenced by the ferocity of the captain’s expression. “Aye Ma’am,” he merely said, “but we will remain nearby.”

“Very nearby,” NE John asserted.

The pair marched far to the other end of the corridor and around a corner.

Holloway’s gaze followed the officers until they disappeared from view.

Much like Cal, Holloway’s Intel training had taught her how to deal with the Borg, and much like the Marine as well, she carried the modern take of an old projectile Earth pistol concealed with her. She was never going to use it on Harper. But then again, Harper was not going to assimilate her. That was a preposterous thought. In any case, she was confident that she could handle anything that came her way in that regard.

Motioning for Belle to follow her a few steps away from the center of the corridor, she spoke in a lower tone. “A lot of things have changed since you and the Monty–” Her voice trailed off once again. She shook her head, dismissing her thoughts. “I am not sure you are aware, but you are, in fact, coming in to take my old position. The vacancy I left before being made CO. I am sure that whatever happened, I have high enough clearance to hear it.” The worry in her tone was evident. “We can move this to my office, if you want. Or to the lounge if you’re hungry.” It didn’t cross Molly’s head that the ‘new’ Harper might not need to eat. “I’m sorry… or maybe I should just let you rest… I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to catch up…” She gave the Intel Officer an apologetic smile, but in reality she was eager to know what had happened to one of the closest friends she’d ever had.

Holloway, CO

For the first time, Harper’s shoulders relaxed and her expression softened. She was exhausted. “Captain, I know you want to know everything, and part of me, the part that used to know you, wants to tell you everything. But this doesn’t come from Starfleet intelligence. That’s only a cover.” She opened her hand and revealed a black badge.” She wasn’t sure if Molly knew of Section 31, not many people did. And she was risking a lot even showing her the badge.

The part that used to know you. The words swirled in her mind for a moment, wondering if Belle was suggesting Molly had changed so much she couldn’t say she actually knew her anymore. Another pang of guilt hit her stomach. If only she had done things differently in the Monty’s last moments… However, Holloway’s thoughts didn’t roam for long, as Harper showed her the badge. Her eyes widened in surprise. She had heard of Section 31, but only in passing, and mostly as conspiracy Molly wasn’t sure she believed in. And yet, here it was. Proof that it was real. Did that mean that the horrible stories of shady practices she had been told were also true? If Intel was already shady, then Section 31 was a whole different playground. What had Belle gotten herself into? Or rather… what had she been forced to get into?

“Listen, Ma’am,” she placed a hand on the bulk-head to steady herself. “I need to regenerate. I also have boarding evaluations. Maybe we can meet after. Let’s say 2200 hours? My quarters?”

-Lt. Harper, CIO

Regenerate? Yet again, words swirled in her mind, as Molly struggled to acknowledge them and their significance. Had Belle been made into some sort of advanced Borg drone that could think on her own? Had the Borg really given up on the collective thing? Could she really assimilate her!? Unconsciously, Holloway took half a step backwards.

“I am so sorry… This was inconsiderate on my part. 2200 is perfect, I will be there.” Holloway smiled, but even though her expression was cheerful, there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. After a moment of silence she continued. “Welcome on board. I know things have changed and that picking up where we left off might not be a possibility anymore.” She paused again. “But it’s really good to have you back.”

Holloway, CO

OOC: Feel free to reply to this one if you feel like it! In any case, I’ll start the thread in Belle’s quarters tomorrow, as my head is far too tired to do so today… I am excited to find out more about ‘new Belle’! :D – Joana

OOC: Sounds good. I am working on a species submission. My GMT sim really set up this whole story and a detailed summary can be found in the archive. The sim was titled Disconnected. -H.

OOC: Oh! Thank you for the reference. I’ll have to check it out! :) – Joana

IC: Back. But Belle Harper wasn’t back. Whatever she was now, Borg drone, entirely new pseudo-species, walking corpse, she wasn’t Belle Harper. “Thank you, Captain. I promise to tell you as much as I can though I can’t promise that will be enough to satisfy you.” She started to walk toward the corner where the two security ensigns had taken refuge. She stopped. Turning to face Molly once more she sad with a modicum of sadness, “Belle Harper is dead. She died six years ago. But I know she loved you very much. If that means anything.”

She continued around the corner and could be heard shouting to the security NEs, “Alright, let’s go, morons.”

-Lt. Harper, CIO

Molly stood still for a moment, in the middle of the corridor. Busy crew members walked by seemingly without noticing her. A few nodded in her direction but Holloway didn’t nod back. Her body might have been present, but her mind was somewhere else entirely.

There it was. Clear as day, from the lips of the woman herself. Belle Harper was dead, and had been for a long time. But I know she loved you very much. The words echoed in Molly’s mind, as memories flooded her thoughts. Holloway hadn’t liked Belle at first. The way she strutted around, provoking Calvin, both behaving like teenagers around the Bridge. She had frowned at their childish behavior. She still did… but with time she had come to tolerate it. Ashton had taken a liking to Harper as well, as a friend, and the woman had seemed to take upon herself to force the usually taciturn Molly to be more social and open. Familiar scenes streamed through her mind – Belle and Calvin singing and playing the piano in the makeshift XO promotion party that Ashton had thrown for her… The physical readiness tests Harper had organized… memories of a past long gone… of a future that could have been but never was, and that now could never be. Of them, only Cal and her had stuck together… Belle had died and Ashton was… well… Molly didn’t really know where he was. That had been mostly her fault. Whatever it was, she hoped he was well.

But I know she loved you very much. Belle’s words came back. To this day Holloway still wondered how Belle had seen in her a friend worth having. And through all the years she always regretted never being brave enough to tell her just how grateful she actually was, and how much her friendship had meant to her. Molly wondered if this could be a second chance, even though, deep down she knew it really wasn’t.

Spiraling deeper into the rabbit hole of her thoughts, Molly could feel her blood pressure starting to drop, and the dizziness that usually accompanied it settling in. She stepped closer to the bulkhead and leaned her back against it, closing her eyes for a moment.

“Are you alright, Ma’am?”

Molly opened her eyes only to find a Science Ensign with a worried look on her face staring back at her. Holloway smiled apologetically and nodded. “I’m fine, Ensign. Long night. Thank you.”

She watched the young woman disappear around the same corner Belle had just gone through, before taking a deep breath and shaking her thoughts away. No matter what happened next, it was time to get back to work. Not to mention, she had to make a call to Commander Harper. She had failed to deliver the news to the man when his daughter had died under her command. This time, she was going to make sure it didn’t happen again.

Walking back to the turbolift, Molly returned to the Bridge.

Holloway, CO