Posted by Lieutenant Commander Tiberius Cattaneo (Chief of Star Fleet Security) in PRSIM: The Mystery of Dash Jones

Posted by Civilian Jeannette Mathis (Federation Ambassador) in PRSIM: The Mystery of Dash Jones
OOC: The gala is still going on and will go as long as it needs to. It took place on a Saturday evening, and this PRSIM kicks off in the early hours on Monday morning.
IC:
The Mathis Household

Ren watched their spouse wear a path in the living room of their spacious (and still temporary) townhouse. Dressed in her pajamas and an open robe, Jeanette’s blond hair was loose and still slightly wild from bed.

“Love, won’t you please sit?” Ren said, their eyes tracing her movements with worry even as they found a calm center to hold on to. It was hard to see her like this, and this sort of thing was so rare as to be shocking.

“I can’t!” Jeanette said, her breath ragged. How could she explain?! It felt like her body was going crazy. Something was wrong. That’s all she could say for sure. But wrong in this case meant something devastating that she couldn’t even wrap her mind around. Curse her grandmother!

Having worked herself into a frenzy, Ren was worried for Jean’s well being and rose from the couch. They tried to slip their hand into their wife’s but Jean pulled back and shook her head, continuing her pacing.

Ren sighed. Jeanette was the calmest and coolest center you’d ever find, but when it came to her El-Aurian heritage, they had gotten used to the occasional quirks. The knowing was one thing, but this before them was something entirely different. It was like she was tapped into something she couldn’t make sense of. And Ren trusted their wife’s intuition with their life.

Footfalls down the stairs sounded before Jessie appeared, a deep frown on his teenage face. “Mom? Per? What’s wrong?”

Jeanette tried to say something but her words died on her lips.

“She’s having a rough night,” Ren said

Jessie moved over to Ren. “It’s three in the morning. How long has this been going on?” he asked his per, watching his mother move like she was possessed by something bad. Certainly nothing good, that was for certain. It was kind of scary.

“A while.”

“We could call Dash? He’d know what to do, wouldn’t he?” he said.

Ren sighed. “Not yet. It’s late, and while he absolutely would take the call, I think we can wait till morning.”

He wasn’t convinced, but what else could they do? She wasn’t hurt, just… stressed. Distressed? Inhaling and blowing that breath out, Jessie moved off to the kitchen. “Well, since we’re all up, I’m going to make some tea.” There was a slim chance it would help, or that they could get her to sit for a minute to even drink something soothing, but it was worth a try. And it gave him something to do.

Two Hours Later

There just was no help for it. Things hadn’t improved and they hadn’t gotten a hold of Dash, which in of itself was concerning. Jean had finally stopped pacing a while ago but their wife lay on the couch exhausted and radiating worry. While they were both loath to disturb her at home and invade her privacy, there just was no help for it. Ren put in the call.

A few moments later, the screen shifted and Eela Dasca appeared on the screen tying her robe, her face etched with concern. Then again, only something serious would have anyone calling the woman at home at this hour. ||Ren, what can I do for you?||

Ren took a steading breath. “I’m so sorry to bother you at this hour, but we have a bit of an urgent situation here. We think Dash could help but we can’t seem to get a hold of him.” They blew out a breath. “I don’t want to infringe on your privacy, but I was wondering if by any chance he was there?”

Eela’s frown deeply etched her face. ||No. He was, but he left hours ago. Around 0200. He went home because he has a breakfast meeting with Jeannette.||

Ren nodded slowly. It sounded about right but also didn’t solve their issue. They looked over at Jean and shook their head, returning their gaze to Dasca. “I don’t know what else to do. Jean is… not doing well and Dash would know what to do.”

Despite her personal involvement, this was at least a situation she could handle and provide guidance with. ||Okay, first off, Ren, do me and yourself a favour and take a deep breath in and out,|| she instructed. It was not a suggestion.

Ren sighed and then drew in a purposeful breath, then exhaled.

||Two more times.||

Ren took those breaths, knowing the wisdom in Eela’s words and felt a bit of the tension melt from their body.

||Now, if the person in question was Starfleet personnel, or even just a civilian I knew, I’d ask whatever law enforcement had jurisdiction to do a wellness check. Given that you and Jeannette are under Starfleet security for protection, there’s nothing wrong with my asking your detail to do a check on Dash. They know him and I am the Commander-in-Chief. They won’t balk at the request.||

“I’m going,” Jean said softly, though there was an edge to her voice. She pushed herself to a seated position, but it was clear it took a lot of effort.

“Love, I’m not sure-”

“No! I will go with them. He’s my aide. If he’s there, then I can simply talk to him and find out why he hasn’t answered. I’m sure there’s a good explanation. And maybe he’ll help me figure out why I feel so… off.”

Ren looked at Eela, imploring her for help.

But Eela understood. If it were any of her staff, or anyone else she worked with at the Tower, she’d be the one going as well. Some things you just needed to do yourself, sensibility be damned. ||Let her go, Ren. It’s something she needs to do.||

Jeanette shifted more fully into view, turning her head to gaze at Eela. The only description Dasca had for the look in the ambassador’s pale blue eyes was haunted. “Thank you,” she whispered.

||Call me when you hear from him?||

“Of course,” Ren said. “As soon as we know anything.”

The couple hung up and while Jean went to get dressed, Ren and Jessie hunkered down with some tea to wait for… something.

~The Mathis’ and Eela Dasca

Ensign Murdoch thought he heard something amiss in the Mathis’ chamber and wanted to check in on them. He straightened his uniform and then went to the door. He hit the ring for the door and waited for a response. He believed he understood a wellness check was needed but the ensign knew that Jeanette could not go on her own. She had to have a escort and Timothy believed, since he was the one watching the office, it would be best for him and the other Ensign on duty to escort her. He was hoping she would answer the door.

NE Timothy Murdoch
Star-fleet Security Officer

Dasca had clearly worked quickly but Jeanette was equally motivated to get ready. But Ren beat her to the door. They opened the door and gave Murdoch a grim nod. “She’s on her way down.” They almost said more but kept their thoughts to themselves for now.

“I’m here,” Jeanette said. The ambassador had tossed on black slacks and a white blouse, and tossed a wool coat over top. She slipped her last shoe on and moved swiftly to the door. “Let’s go.” They already knew where Jones’s apartment was, since they often went to the embassy together, but she swore the four block trip was going to be excruciating.

Ren reached out and gave their wife’s hand a squeeze, just gazing with love and hoping it conveyed everything that needed to be said. Jeanette placed a hand on Ren’s cheek and nodded, before heading out the door.

Mathis barely waited for the guards to follow as she beelined for the aircar parked out front. Another guard, Ensign Berkus, opened the hatch to let her and Murdoch in.

Inside the car, she turned to Murdoch. “We should have building security come up with us so they can let us in if there is no answer. I don’t want to be wasting time.”

~Ambassador Mathis