Posted by Civilian Joseph Karlson (Police Commissioner) in A Warm Family Visit

Posted by Civilian Urg’tohn, Son of the House of Duroc (Klingon Warrior) in A Warm Family Visit

Posted by Civilian Joseph Karlson (Police Commissioner) in A Warm Family Visit
Posted by… suppressed (16) by the Post Ghost! 👻
<snip>

Joseph smiled warmly “It was a violation of a safe space, your home. You should not have to be wary of entering your own home” Neema gave him a bemused smile at that which got a short-lived frown from the Commissioner “If you’re up for it do you mind telling us about this, about him”

Commissioner Karlson

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

She was so tired. It had been a late night to begin with and the adrenaline was gone from her. Astrid’s eyes burned with the desire to sleep but upon looking at the caring faces of her friends, she knew she had to give them some answers.

Urg moved forward and set a heavy hand on Astrid’s shoulder. “Only if you want to. Otherwise we can wait a bit. You are safe here… with all of us. And we wish only to make you feel that way.”

Urg’tohn, Lord Duroc

She looked up at Urg with a small smile and rested her small and delicate hand on his with a squeeze. “I think i have enough in me to give you some, if not the whole sordid tale.”

“After my mother died, my father married his assistant. She and her son Tyson came to live with us. They are both full Betazoid. They were not kind as they led my father to believe. Behind his back, she was horrible to me and my siblings. I protected them where I could, but that gained the attention of her up and coming teenage son. He isn’t much older than me . He grew infatuated and when I turned down his advances, he took it very badly. Tyson is incredibly intelligent, probably the smartest person I have ever met. His intelligence isn’t limited to book smarts. He is street savvy and clever too. His charm is off the charts.”

A rolling rumble rolled out from Jal’na’s chest, but it was more felt than heard. She had known people like that, and she had some pretty specific thoughts on how to deal with them.

Her throat felt dry so she reached out for her tea and took a sip before continuing. “Most of my teenage years were made helll by him. He found some very unique ways to create doubt within me and to cause injury without being present. My father called them pranks, if he acknowledged that Tyson did them at all. The worst part was my father not believing me when I told him of some new cruelty Tyson had come up with to torture me.”

“Keeping my siblings safe and focusing on my school work and career path was my only real solace. I think that is why I am so well regarded. That hard work paid off. I got my siblings out and away and myself too. I haven’t seen Tyson since I left New France. I just figured he had found someone new to torment or had found something actually worthwhile to do with his intelligence.”

Rousseau, HotJ

“A smart and charming sadist.” Urg said flatly. “He should have gone into politics.”

Urg’tohn, Lord Duroc

Joseph let out a dry snort at Urg’s joke.

“A coward is what he is,” Jal’na managed not to snarl. “What do you want us to do to help you, Astrid?”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

bump

Joseph nodded at Jal’na’s question, it was the right thing to ask. He was already forming plans and strategies, both legal and not so much. The easiest solution was to simply point Urg in the right direction and let him loose, with a good support unit there wouldn’t be much collateral damage that they’d need to cover up. However, that was likely not a good choice for Astrid’s mental health. The next option was more complex and required an artefact capable of blocking telepathy and setting up a stage for Astrid to take her brother down herself, either through a physical confrontation or a more suitable verbal one. The cleanest one would be to send Johann but that was also the cruelest option, he’d live a long life just not a good one. He discarded the last idea for now, a genetically enhanced assassin fascinated by pain was not the first card you played.

Commissioner Karlson

Astrid opened her mouth to answer.

Without warning, the incoming Comm signal alert chimed once, and a velvety smooth voice came through the speakers set throughout the room. =A= Lord Duroc, I thank you for the compliment… but I’ve never had a taste for politics. If I’m being honest with myself, even I don’t have the stomach for the machine. That said… it is clear my little sister is far more… adept at such things.=A= There was no rush to the man’s words, just a calm… icy cadence that said he clearly had no fear of detection. Any attempts to track the call would find it bouncing throughout the OED system. If they worked really hard, the only originating source would be Karlson’s own residence.

=A= And as for a coward…=A= The man laughed a dark, chilling laugh. =A=… that’s just a bull### term used by those too weak to be of any impact in the universe. Now, Astrid… I would advise you to stop playing games and… inviting people into family business before someone gets hurt. Commissioner Karlson, I suggest you and your cronies mind your own damn business and stay out of my family’s affairs. I’m not going to hurt my little sister, even I’m not that stupid. However, you… your wife… and your.... colleagues are not of my concern. You can’t find me and you won’t find me. I’m here to visit Astrid and then be on my way. But don’t let the pathetic whining of the worthless excuse of a magistrate, my sister, pretends to be… get you hurt. Mind your business and stay the hell out of mine, and we won’t have an issue.=A=

There was a moment’s pause before Tyson’s voice returned, hard and flat. =A= Last warning, little sis, we either address this like adults… like the loving family we’ve… always been, or… I can assure you… you will never see Marguerite again. Love you, Astrid=A= And the Comm went dead.

Tyson Rousseau

At the sound of her brother’s voice when she had been feeling so safe, the color drained from her face, leaving the already pale woman ashen. Her eyes went from person to person, her friends in the room. No doubt if Tyson could have seen the look on her face of hopelessness and fear, he would have been satisfied. His threats on each of the people who mattered to her except Eela who was not present made her want to vomit. And her sister? How could he have her sister?

Urg was quiet… still… and simply started at a single point as the comms went silent. He then took a breath and looked at Astrid and smiled a comforting (for him, anyway) smile at her; and then he looked at Karlson and said “I will break his neck with my bare hands. You know this, right?” He looked at one of his guards and motioned them over. As the guard leaned in, Urg whispered in his ear and the guard nodded and walked outside.

Urg’tohn, Lord Duroc

Joseph shrugged, his expression giving the Well I tried look. He was moderately annoyed that his comms had been breached but that was always a possibility, it was why they had actual hard lines, physical connectors to outside the manor, he hand’t ordered a full lockdown so that Urg could get his people inside the grounds but this was concerning enough,

Jal’na set a hand over Astrid’s, willing her to stay quiet as much as she was trying to restrain the vengeful rage that erupted in her chest. A coward. Belittling others and using hacked comm codes to intimidate and scare people rather than facing them. The toDSaH was wrong when he said this wasn’t their business. He was very wrong when he broke into Astrid’s home and frightened her.

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

She tried to take comfort in both Jal’na’s warm hand and Urg’s smile. It was her sheer willpower that kept her from running to save those present and to get as far away from them as she could. Eventually Tyson would tire of playing with her wouldn’t he?

Joseph sat down in a plush chair and unconcernedly crossed his legs. He reached over to a small box and grabbed an intricately carved pipe and slowly filled it with sweet-smelling leaves “Moderately clever. The only external connection the manor has is the communications system, there’s an intercom in most major rooms, but only two camera’s” He explained to the people in the room “Mine and Neema’s offices.” He was explaining the major extent of their vulnerability. He put the pipe between his teeth and smiled. The Commissioner snapped his fingers once, “Al, cut the hard lines” He said to the air. There was no response, which seemed to be normal “He’s quite an arrogant pup your brother” Joseph had a soothing manner to his words, calm and collected.

Neema rolled her eyes and joined her hand with Jal’na’s and Astrid’s “He’s going to start showing off soon, being told he can’t find someone is a point of pride for the old man” She had no small amount of amusement in her tone, they were both quite clearly trying to put Astrid at ease but she looked to her husband with a curious expression.

Joseph took the time that Neema spoke as a chance to light an actual wooden match; the sound of striking the match activated two small drones which hovered over him silently, there was a faint haze around him, none of the smoke seemed to go past the field the drones generated. He puffed twice before speaking again “Marguerite, that’s your younger sister” He stated “Is she still on New France?” It seemed he might need to reach out to his little cousins, either that or use some of his brother’s operatives but that was problematic.

Commissioner Karlson

She looked up at Joseph and shook her head. “No. She is on Utopia Planetia. I just spoke with her a few days ago. She is currently overseeing a new shuttle design. I can’t imagine how Tyson could do anything to her.”

Rousseau, HotJ

Joseph leaned forward “I have a cousin on Earth, a Starfleet commander teaching advanced tactics at the Academy. I’ll ask him to put eyes on your sister and prepare an exit strategy for her if he deems it necessary. His name is Baldur, and he’s trustworthy. That was a threat against your sister and I’d feel better having eyes on her” He raised the pipee and a drone lowered towards it and picked it up before retreating.

“Astrid, you’re safe here. The hard lines connecting the manor with the outside have been cut off, I mean that literally, I have a guy with a laser axe whose only job is to cut the hard lines.” He leaned forward and smiled, trying to lighten the mood, although he wasn’t kidding about the guy with the Axe. Neema squeezed Astrid’s hand with her own.

“The walls are lined with sensor disruption materials and transport scramblers, the manor grounds are littered with Transport inhibitors. I’m a great believer in analogue redundancies; nothing outside the communications system can be accessed from the outside, there is a room with Pattern enhancers which you need to manually assemble to beam out of here. I have three teams on standby, all former UFP Marine doorkickers I trained personally, and there are no better shocktroopers than Urg’s men.”

Joseph took a moment to breathe and smiled again This time, it was a confident smile “You have good friends here who have your back, you have authority, resources, power, and the home court advantage. Oedians take care of their own.”

Commissioner Karlson

Jal’na squeezed Astrid’s other hand. She didn’t have to share a look with Urg, she knew her husband. He was already preparing their warriors. He wouldn’t let this stand. If it wasn’t for the Commissioner, Urg would be burning Oed to the ground right now. “You are safe, so, now that that is taken care of, what do you want to do?” Jal’na’s voice rumbled out a warming cadence. “Sleep? Food? To plan?”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

She felt buoyed by the friends she had made here. The warmth of Neela and Jal’na’s hands helped her to feel more secure even as Joseph spoke of security measures that kept her safe here. She nodded to Joseph. “I would appreciate having eyes on my sister and checking around her to make sure no one there has ties to Tyson.”

Astrid turned to Jal’na and suddenly felt terribly, terribly tired. She sighed and squeezed the hands back. “I think I have had a long night and all I want to do is rest. I will think more clearly in the morning.”

Rousseau, HotJ

Neema smiled and stood up “Come then, we have a room prepared for you on the third floor of the east wing, just opposite our room” She put out a hand for Astrid.

Relieved beyond measure, Astrid stood, placing the blanket that had been keeping her warm around her shoulders once more. For some reason, she could not stay warm. No doubt a big bed with a multitude of blankets weight upon her would help. She took Neema’s hand gratefully trying very hard not to fall apart just yet and simply take in the warmth and comfort her friends were giving to buoy her.

Jal’na stood with Astrid and Neema. She gave Astrid a warm embrace. She didn’t assume to follow them into the more private areas of the house. She was sure, knowing Urg, they weren’t going anywhere. Well Urg wasn’t. He might decide to try and order to the safety of the embassy or the ship. It would be amusing to see him try. He knew her well enough to know she wouldn’t leave her friend.

Joseph also stood up, pipe clenched between his teeth “Urg, Lady Ja’lna, I have also prepared rooms for you” He stepped to Urg “Actually, they are your rooms, had them prepared after you got your Embassy set up, same wingn and floor but on the opposite end.

Commissioner Karlson

“Thank you, Commissioner.” Jal’na was aware Urg and the commissioner were close, but the news of their own rooms was welcome. Jal’na did not want to leave Astrid, though she knew she was safe here.

Urg nodded once and then looked at Jal’na. “You stay and look after her. Shiv is coming from the ship to make sure all eyes are open and blades sharp. I am going to make the rounds. I can only hope he is foolish enough to try to remove me from the equation.” He put an arm around Jal’na and Astrid. “I will check in regularly.” He looked at Joseph and gave him one of those grins. “Can I claim diplomatic immunity in advance?”

Urg’tohn, Lord Duroc

Joseph chuckled “Just try to leave less of a mess this time, it took nearly a week to clean the hotel last time” He said brightly.

Commissioner Karlson

Jokingly, Astrig looked back at Urg. “Try not to do anything that would cause a conflict of interest for the Chief Justice will you? I fear there is enough on her plate for now.” She gave him a small but warm smile before turning to the door to go with Neema.

Rousseau, HotJ

Jal’na gave Urg a look that clearly ordered him to not forget to check in, unless he was busy killing the man that was tormenting her friend. She followed Astrid and Neema out of the room.

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

OOC: Haven’t forgotten about y’all! Just (finally) finished moving my wife to the States. Been a VERY busy six weeks but I am glad to be back. Where do you all need me next?

Condor

((OOC: YAY congrats. I believe you now have a manhunt on your hands. Coordinate fun play with Urg and Joseph Karlson. They are after you! – Amber )

Joseph watched the three women leave then nodded “Alright, time to go to work” He left the room and turned to the left nodding for Urg’tohn to follow “After the Dominion war ended I ran the Marine Special Operations Command back on Earth, part of my duties allowed me to set the directives for the Military Police investigations into War criminals, in conjunction with Starfleet Intelligence. When I retired, I had a list of names we hadn’t been able to capture so as my wife and I travelled the quadrant we’d occasionally search for people on that list as a hobby”

He led Urg to the basement stairwell and walked down. “Before moving here, we’d captured or killed around 70% of that list; the rest were caught by actual law enforcement. Anyway, during our travels, I’d revamped our personal ship to be the perfect headquarters for a manhunt, so when my brother gifted us the mansion I had the Command centre taken apart and rebuilt as an extension to the basement” The basement was a general storage area, boxes filled with stuff from Earth and Trill, baby clothes, old knicknacks that didn’t fit upstairs and various other things one would store. Joseph opened one box where a bust of the Poet William Shakespear was stored and pushed the head back, revealing a big red button which he pressed. Upon pressing the button, there was a click followed by one of the storage cabinets lifting half an inch off the ground and hovering away to reveal a metallic door which hissed open.

Joseph stepped inside and clapped his hands, the lights turned on to reveal a medium-sized room, it looked like the inside of a ship, Earth design. The room was rectangular in shape, with a console dominating the centre of the room, the console lit up with holograms, pictures of various people, star charts, and other data. There were a handful of chairs and a small kitchen unit. There was a door marked as a lavatory and another marked as a sonic shower. On the other end, there was a clear door which led to a small armoury filled with various weapons, sidearms, rifles, swords, and knives. There was also a mannequin with a modified heavy armour of Human design.

Urg would immediately notice a slight shimmer in one of the chairs, but as soon as he did, the shimmer went away, revealing a thin person in some sort of suit and mask. The suit seemed to have both cloaking and optical camouflage, the colour adjusting to match the surroundings. The mask was odd; there was a glasslike line across it as a viewport, but it had other unnecessary additions, a protrusion from the mouth as if it were a gas mask of old, slight damage, and markings as if the mask were crying. Joseph sighed at the person and raised his hand before Urg would throttle the person “You remember my brother Jóhann” He said and rolled his eyes at the dramatics.

“Ah yes!” Urg said with a grin. “I haven’t seen you since the heads rolled across the table at the hotel!” and he laughed loudly.

The mask hissed dramatically and flipped open, revealing the face of Joseph’s older brother, the man who years ago, had hosed down the brothers of Duroc in the middle of the street then some time later hosted the party at his hotel the day Urg’tohn became High Lord “Your worship” Joseph said with a wide smile and bowed from his seated position “I am at your service”

Commissioner Karlson

Urg shook his head. “Nope. Urg. You are my brother’s brother. We are family.” and he extended a tree branch-like arm towards the man.

Urg’tohn, Lord Duroc

Johann stood up and accepted the handshake on the forearm and smiled widely. Joseph spoke up “He did mean that quite literally, he is at your service for this operation.” Joseph tapped on the desk, and the door sealed, creating a secure room. “I can’t operate freely due to my duties as commissioner, so I’ll handle strategy, planning, and tracking. Jóhann can take care of any equipment we’ll need. Jóhann has expertise you’ll find useful. he doesn’t have direct military experience, he i,s however, the best infiltrator, saboteur, and assassin I know” He said with a slight frown, which made his nearly eighty-year-old businessman brother smile even wider.

Johann inclined his head “It’s a hobby” He said simply, which received another frown from the Commissioner

“Find what you love and it will never be work, amiright?” Urg said with a truly predatory and deeply unsettling grin.

“Right, in any case. We’ll need to track the man down, build a profile, make a plan then execute the plan.” Joseph said and tapped on the console, bringing up what information they had “He’s Betazoid, smart, has access to advanced surveillance equipment and transportation tech. He got through my system security, which means he either is or employs someone with expertise in breaching software. We can assume he uses Betazoid telepathy criminally; they always do. I have a countermeasure for that, a circlet which can protect you from telepathic attack, but it is limited in its capabilities.”

Commissioner Karlson

Urg chuckled. “I only hope he tries to use his mind-magic on me.” He looked at the two Karlson brothers and tapped an dark black and sharp fingernail to his temple. “Kvaar’ton lives within me… let him see what true power is.” and he laughed… but it wasn’t due to humor.

Urg’tohn, Lord Duroc

The brothers exchanged a glance, Johann was more sceptical, but Joseph had seen too much of whatever entity it was that the Durocs called their god. He tapped a few times and put Kvaar’ton under assets for Urg “Well, before that happens, I’ll need to locate the man. I’ll check any incoming civilian traffic for the past year, and Johann will reach out to his contacts to track his movements before arriving here so we can get a better grasp on the timeline. I can’t directly get much of my local resources involved in this, not if we want to handle this in-house, so Urg, you’ll need to put out feelers, put the pressure on.”

Commissioner Karlson

“Pressure I can do.” the giant Klingon said flatly. “And if any of your assets prove… ‘hesitant’… accidentally leave a PaDD open on the table with their location. I will be happy to discuss the importance of open and honest communication with them.” He looked at Johann. “But we bring him down alive if possible, I am assuming? Otherwise I do still have the bomb House Juuv was going to use…”

It was impossible to tell if he was joking.

Urg’tohn, Lord Duroc

Joseph always took Urg on his word, knowing the man well enough to know he’d never offer unless he was willing “I want to bring him in alive so that our friend can have closure. I don’t much care what happens to him after that. Of course, he only needs to be alive and capable of speech, and…” He paused and looked at Urg “Please tell me you’re not keeping that damned thing at the embassy”

Commissioner Karlson

Urg gave him a look that said Really? You think I’m that stupid? and then said “Of course not, brother. That would be irresponsible and dangerous…”

Urg looked at Karlson and said “It’s in a storage container on the Orbital Platform.”

Urg’tohn, Lord Duroc