Posted by Lieutenant Casela Synthi-er (Counsellor / RTF) in CNS Office - McHarrie Checking In

Posted by Lieutenant Commander John McHarrie (Consultant Researcher (Abell-level)) in CNS Office - McHarrie Checking In

Posted by Lieutenant Casela Synthi-er (Counsellor / RTF) in CNS Office - McHarrie Checking In
(snip)
“Your uncle? So 31 runs in the family then?” the slight snear to her voice left no doubt of what she really thought of their ‘department’ and ‘superiors.’ “So I have your file here. Your ‘official’ file and your not so official file. I’ve read neither. Not that I won’t if the need arises.” She picked up a 2nd PaDD and handed it to him. “Now, here’s my file, even the stuff s31 doesn’t know about.” She got up and walked over to a replicator. “Want a drink?” She didn’t drink at all. Well usually.

“Whisky would be good,” John said.

Casela ordered the drink and gave it to him. “Make sure you check out the lounge, Jörmungandr, if you want the real stuff. I understand that the XO keeps it well stocked.”

She ordered water. “If S31 sent you here to keep an eye on me, or to convince me to stay, you can go ahead and tell them you failed that particular assignment. I have my job here, I know it, and I’ll do it, and nothing more for those,” she used some rather colorful and inappropriate names.

John waited for the translator to interpret the colourful names into Welsh. Some it did, some it didn’t. He got the gist.

“My uncle let my Da be killed on S31 business. One of the few people who could be in two places at once thanks to the genetics of identical twins,” John said, “I’m not a fan either, but I wouldn’t broadcast it too much. We’re not likely to be the only operatives onboard.

Casela laughed, “You might want to be careful, but everyone in S31 knows how I feel. I made sure of it after my last assignment. Anyone they send here, will know it. As far as I have seen, so far there is only one other S31 operative on board. The ships CIO. I haven’t met him yet.”

“Thanks for the heads up,” John replied, “They neglected to put that in my pack.”

“I’ll be up front about this. I want out. I’ve wanted out, but it’s not happening any time soon. I would hope, that we can work together to share whatever information we have. My job here, as I’ve decided, is to advise the command staff. S31 has their own idea of how I should do that,” she waves her hand in a I don’t care what they think manor. “They are my crew, and I will decide what I need to tell them. I don’t like secrets among people who are required to work together in dangerous situations. There are a lot of people on board this ship, and they don’t all trust counselors, forget myself. But I know when I need a partner. I’m not the easiest person to work with, John. But I hope that we can for our mutual safety and that of the crew. By the way, call me Casela. I hate rank.”

“We are more alike than you think in our personal aims,” John said raising his his glass, “I’m sure we can help each other find a way out the section that doesn’t involve either of us being put in a box.”

He’d finally said it out loud. It felt refreshing believing he was around some one who was like-minded, but only time would tell if she was being truly honest with him or whether she was playing him.

Casela nodded and moved on.

“So let’s address the elephant in the room so to speak. I’m aware that S31 has made my telepathy out to be some kind of boogie man for other operatives. I can, but do not use my telepathy for them. I will not ever use it against people who are my crew or under my protection. Make sure you stay under one of those categories.”

She took a sip of her water. “So I assume that we are expected to work together during this mission.”
Lt. Synthi-er

“I guess so,” John said, “Unless that is a pretense for us keeping an eye on each other. I suspect they won’t like my tactic of being ‘out’ but, if I can get the Captain onboard, it could be useful. I’ve not had a brief yet, but I suspect they will want to know what’s going on here.”

-McHarrie

Cobb was not going to like this. He was already paranoid about all the double responsibilities of most of the crew. “The CO is a good man. He’s been put in a bad position with no warning, but then so has most of the crew. I wish you luck with your plan, if you need help, and feel so inclined, I’m happy to help.”

“Given this ships remit, I’m sure there’s stuff in the S31 library that he will find invaluable,” John replied, “As long as S31 gets a bare minimum of information I think that will keep them off our backs.”

Casela motioned for him to sit down. “Now, how do these things go? Oh yes, are you happy with being posted to the Leviathan?”

Lt. Synthi-er, CNS

John sipped his drink as he sat. “Well the opportunity to get back to doing some research in some real labs is certainly a benefit.”

-John

Casela nodded, “We certainly have plenty of labs all over the ship, of all types. So your a scientist by hobby? Or experience?”

“Did you choose this assignment, or did they place you here like they did 90% of the crew?”

Lt. Synthi-er, CNS, Soon-to-be-former-S31-Operative

“I come from a medical background. It was a chance encounter with one particular species that really sparked my interest,” John said, “Being placed here will allow me the opportunity to develop protections and cures to some of the many threats out there, rather than simply destroying them and denying their existence.”

-McHarrie
“Any qualms, reservations, concerns about the Leviathan’s mission or it’s myriad staff? We have the alphabet soup running around this ship. All vying for power. How are you going to handle that? Everyone, not just the bigger departments they work for all have a different agenda.”
Lt Synthi-er, CNS

“I prefer to think of it as a melting pot,” John replied, “Yes we all have our own agendas, but none of us can achieve them without each other.”

He took another sip of his drink. “If we,” he said motioning his hands to indicate he meant everyone onboard, “Work openly with each other, bringing together our experience, skills and knowledge then we will all achieve great things. Perhaps even a new model for how different branches can co-operate without the shadows. One organisation like what was imagined when the Federation was founded.”

-McHarrie

“If it were only that easy. Keep that optimism, John, you’re going to need it. I’m not telling you to not trust your ship mates, or maybe I am, or…just be aware that most people on board have double agendas. Even if they aren’t with another department. I have no intention of being 2 faced with the crew, but caution is always better. Now, what is your biggest personal obstacle to your life as a star fleet officer?”

Synthi-er

McHarrie considered his words carefully. The blunt answer was Section 31 and how his family had manipulated him into joining them.

“That’s a good one,” he said to buy himself a bit more time to consider, “I guess it would be not having a clear direction of my own.”

-McHarrie