Posted by Civilian Dorma Fen (Governor’s Assistant) in Government Tower- Dasca’s Office (TMODJ)

Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Government Tower- Dasca’s Office (TMODJ)

Posted by Civilian Cort Belanger (Executive Assistant to Lt. Gov.) in Government Tower- Dasca’s Office (TMODJ)
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

For a moment Eela just gazed at Cort and then sighed, giving a nod. She heard him loud and clear. “We’re waiting for Sherri and Elema, and then I’ll fill you in.”

The ladies arrived soon after, Sherri having had come the farthest but, to her the credit of her Starfleet training, was also in an impeccable uniform and her hair pulled up into a quick but tidy twist. Cort vacated the one chair so the women could sit and he pulled one of the guest chairs from Eela’s desk over.

Eela looked around at the group of them, and drew in a steading breath. “I think it goes without saying that this news is privileged for the moment. It will become public soon enough and when it does, expect a certain amount of chaos.” She looked at Dorma for a moment. “I know the Governor is quite formal, but right now I can’t be, and we’re”-she gestured to the group of them-“accustomed to less formality when it’s just us.” She didn’t want to make Dorma uncomfortable, but this was how she was.

“Umm, around 0500 I got a call from Ren Mathis, the Ambassador’s spouse. The ambassador was not doing well and they were trying to get ahold of Mr. Jones. When they couldn’t, they called me and tried to be tactful as they asked if I knew where he was. As it happened, he left my place several hours earlier but I wasn’t expecting to see or hear from him until around lunchtime today. So, since Mathis’ security is handled by Starfleet, I had them escort her to his apartment to do a wellness check, just like we would for anyone.” Eela paused and held her mug tighter. “I heard back from Ren a little while ago and it’s not good. Apparently Dashiel Jones is dead and the police have been brought into the picture.” Which they would only do if the cause was not obviously medically related.

Both Sherri and Elema radiated instant shock and dismay. “Do we know how or why?” Sherri asked, recovering the fastest.

Eela shook her head. “You now know as much about this as I do, aside from whatever I know through my relationship with Dash.”

Cort drew in a deep breath, steadying his emotions so they did’t affect Dasca, but his expression was still one of disbelief. He had so many question, but Eela madde it clear that answers were not forthcoming just now.

Eela pushed on. “I wish I didn’t have to share this news at all, but I’d rather you hear it form me now, rather than from someone else or the press. Obviously…” She paused searching for the right words. “Obviously we have a lot of balls were juggling right now, the least of which being the Vren delegation on our planet. But as important as all the Oed business is, my concern in this moment is for all you, for your wellbeing, for your safety. I wish I had thought of it when I was talking with Hyrushi, but it might be wise for today, or a few days at least for you all not to go about the colony unescorted. That’s not an order or anything, just perhaps a request until we know what we’re dealing with.” She was focused on this group of extraordinary individuals, her empathy fixed on them and she radiated concern as she relayed this news. That seemed to be a bit of an improvement from earlier, but as Elema was noting, Eela herself wasn’t feeling anything else. Certainly not about herself.

~Eela Dasca, Lt Gov.

Dorma looked at Eela and said “First and foremost. Ma’am… Eela… I am sorry. I know you and he were close… or in the process of becoming so. And for rhat I am truly sorry. Second.” and she looked at the assembled staff. “Second is we now go to full administrative lock down. All appointments for the next forty eight hours are postponed. Anything that has to be taken care of goes through the four of us. No one, and I mean no one, gets access to the Lieutenant Governor or Governor without ALL of us knowing it. And no one gets access to both at once. All incoming comms and messages are to be copied, cataloged by time and sender, and sealed and ready for requests by law enforcement. The Governor has personal security assets here in the colony that I oversee. Starting now, all of us will have around the clock protection. This is non-negotiable.” She stood up and smoothed her dress. “Administrative support staff meeting in Conference room three in forty minutes.” She looked down at Eela and said “We will handle the offices. You focus on this. I am certain the Governor will be as well.”

Dorma Fen

Cort nodded to Dorma. Yes, they needed a group plan and the forty minutes would give them enough time to make any cancellations and clear the schedules. But he learned forward, catching Eela’s eye. “Eela, what else do you need?”

~Cort Belanger

Dasca sighed and shook her head. “Answers, Cort. I need answers, and until I have those…” She just shrugged her shoulders. “But after I leave here, I am going to go see the Mathis’ and check in on the Ambassador. After that I’ll be meeting up with the Governor. I am contactable at anytime. I know everyone is going to want to take things off my plate, and I get it and it’s not entirely a wrong approach, but keep me in the loop.”

She appreciated that Fen’s move towards action and it was strangely helpful. “My family will remain in my building for the time being, but that might change given…” Eela shook her head. “It’s been so busy and there’s an investigation going on, but just so you know, there was a minor security breach in my apartment the day before the Vren arrived. Someone tried to sneak a listening device onto my secured delivery crate. Security fortunately caught it before the Governor and I discussed anything too confidential, but alas it does make things a bit more awkward just now. It’s really not paranoia if they’re actually out to get you,” she deadpanned.

“We’ll be mindful,” Sherri said. “What about McBride?”

“I’ll call him myself,” Dasca said. “And uh, the Governor and I agree that when it comes time for it, we’ll ask Caputo to make the announcement. The Ambassador should not have to herself, and regardless of whatever skepticism might still be floating about the colony regarding the Federation Embassy, we stand by Mathis. She’s one of us now, and she needs our help.”

Eela rose and gave Dorma a grateful nod. “Thank you, Dorma, all of you,” she said, casting her gaze about the group. “One step in front of the other. Do what you need to, but just… be careful.” Her need to protect all these people she cared about was intense, but that had always been true.

She picked up the coffee and took it with her over to her desk. She wouldn’t stay long, but she did need to at least get herself together before she went over to see Jeanette.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Dorma took the cue and stood up and looked at the other ‘gatekeepers’. “Ok, everyone. Forty minutes. I will see you in the conference room, and be ready for a long day… even by our standards.” and she turned and left the room.

Dorma Fen, Governor’s Aid

Cort and the others all nodded and dispersed to do their own thing, though Cort hung back and moved towards her desk. “If you need anything at all, at any time, let me know. I’ll do whatever I can.”

Eela lifted her gaze from the piles of work on her desk and took in her Executive Assistant. She just gave a small but grateful nod and went back to making sure she could walk out of this office soon without having to worry about what was waiting for her here when she made it back again.

He gazed at her for another moment before silently retreating to his office.

~Cort Belanger