Posted by Captain Jonathan McBride (CO, USS Centurion) in PRSIM- Echoes from the Stars

Posted by Civilian Jewel Stone (Detective Chief Inspector MCD) in PRSIM- Echoes from the Stars

Posted by Civilian Sharah Fayth (Director of Medical and Social Services) in PRSIM- Echoes from the Stars
Posted by… suppressed (9) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

IC: Ok’jiv smiled and Elaine stepped out of the room and came back with a transfer chair.

While she was out in the hall, Elaine stopped Blackwood to tell her about the strange mark on Sarah’s back. Then she quickly went back in with the chair.

“Alright, let’s get you in the chair and we’ll take you upstairs. Have you thought about what you want to eat?” Sarah looked overwhelmed and confused. So she wanted to keep her thinking about choices she could make and not the scary ones. There was time later for that.

Dr. Fayth, DoMSS

Blackwood put her hand on the woman’s shoulder. “Good luck Miss” she said giving her one last smile. =^=”Blackwood, clear scene, available ” she commed to dispatch moving out of the room.

~Constable Blackwood

As the constable left, Stellaris was still bewildered. In fact, she remained that way even as they moved her into the chair. “Food.... um.” What could she possibly ask for? But it came to her immediately. “Would roasted chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, and green beans be okay?” It had been her favourite family meal when she was little.

~Stellaris

Ok’jiv nodded, “If that is what you want, that is what you shall have.” The old woman lifted a PaDD and quickly entered the information. She also requested water, milk, juice, and decaffinated herbal tea. “It should arrive about the time we get you settled into bed.” It was a quick ride up to the 2nd floor of the west wing. The room was large, with a comfortable bed, a couch, vid screen, private bathroom, a window that overlooked the central garden of the hospital, and decorated in soft pastel colors. Ok’jiv and Elaine helped her get settled into the bed and comfortable, set up the monitors, and generally made a fuss over making sure she was alright.

Dr. Fayth, DoMSS

Looking around the room, she was overwhelmed at the place she would be spending a great deal of time. Moreover, she was grateful for all their help, because she felt incredibly weak now. Weeks of trying to push through and just keep going had left her more depleted than just her nutrition.

On the verge of tears again, she gave her first real smile since she had been brought in, though it was small. “You’ve been so kind. Than you,” ‘Sarah’ said in a small voice.

Elaine patted her shoulder. “You are very welcome. Try to relax and rest. You’re food will be here soon.”

---

Meanwhile, at the MCD office, one of the juniors on staff (Campbell) had been given the task of running Stellaris’s facial scan through the system in order to see what came up. Obviously, her record from the first arrest came through, but when they cross-referenced it with the other security systems on the colony, that’s where things got rather interesting.

The image in the arrest file showed her with reddish- blond hair: https://imgur.com/a/hs7BcqH. When cross-referenced, the face matched one that came through customs about a month ago under the name Violet Sanders. This same image could be spotted on some of the colony’s public surveillance systems (that were kept in areas of higher crime or near areas requiring higher security, like government offices or Starfleet facilities. In this case, in at least instances, Stellaris was seen near the Starfleet complex. The junior staffer was curious enough to pull the actual video footage of and in one of them it appeared that she was intently watching Starfleet personnel just outside the Complex. People came and went, but one person seemed to be in direct line of sight to Stellaris and appeared to be on a call on an earpiece: Captain Jonathan McBride.

From there it was simply a matter of liaising with one of their Starfleet counterparts to see if the woman came up related to anything Starfleet. When the file came through, Campbell sat back in his seat. “No… can’t be. Really?” Shaking his head, he formed the findings report and sent it to DS Holt and Detective Stone, CCing Constable Blackwood.

In addition to the woman’s various appearances on Oed, she seemed to match a missing person’s report from 2380 for one Evelyn McBride (age 16), younger sister to Captain McBride. When the computer adjusted the older image ( https://imgur.com/a/evelyn-mcbride-2380-SfTxb77 ) for the change in age, it matched Stellaris with 98% accuracy.

Lastly, Starfleet had a Bench Warrant out for a ‘Stellara’ as a person of interest wanted for questioning related to the theft of an ancient artifact from a Starfleet lab. While the image captured of her in the video footage wasn’t as clear as that of others, it definitely bore a strong resemblance to the woman Oed knew as Stellaris.

---

When the food arrived, Stellaris tried so hard to restrain herself. She had managed to push her hunger out of her mind and to be honest she was more tired than hungry right now. But it smelled so good. “Oh Gods, I’m not sure how much I can eat, but it smells amazing.”

~Stellaris

The nutrition worker smiled. “You eat as much as you want. If you get hungry later just call down and we’ll bring up anything you want.” She smiled before leaving. Elaine finished setting everything up and helped place the tray on the adjustable table. On a large PaDD mounted on the wall was all her information, nurses names, doctors, cleaning crew, nutrition, what time checks were done, etc. “Now you see this schedule and these names? If anyone comes in that shouldn’t or comes in at an odd time, you just press that purple button right there.” She pointed to a control on the bed. “It’s not red because that draws attention. It’s purple like our scrubs. We’ll come running. If you need anything, food, medicine, you’re scared, or just bored, you press green one. That’s for the nurses desk, alright?”

Dr. Fayth, DoMSS

Sitting up in bed, Stellaris took in all the info with a keen (if tired) mind. In fact, it took her only a couple times running through the list of name to commit them to memory. She nodded at Elaine. “Thank you, that’s all good to know.” She knew it was unlikely that anyone would show up at this hospital but there was always the chance that she hadn’t been careful enough and that everything would go horribly.

Gazing at the food, it really smelled amazing and so Stellaris dug in first with a forkful of mashed potatoes that she had swiped through the pool of gravy. She closed her eyes and felt overwhelmed yet again. It had been like that on and off through this pregnancy. She hated how easily she cried at seemingly nothing. But even as that thought drifted through her mind , she knew it wasn’t nothing. Here and now was the safest and most seen she had felt in so long that it was hard to comprehend. Well, there was one exception but right now it was a difficult set of memories and she didn’t even want to let her mind go there.

Stellaris ate everything on her plate and while she felt very full she revelled in that feeling. No more fasting!

~Stellaris

Jewel had finished reading through the report, but at the request of Constable Blackwood and DS Holt Jewel did not reach our right away to her boss not until she was sure there wasn’t something else going on. The case seemed off some how and she hoped she could get some details out of the girl. Jewel in he black jacked, white blouse , black pants and black shoes, was far more intimidating than her off duty self. Her long black hair was pulled back into a braided tail. She moved through the hospital with little resistance the perc of being a Chief Inspector, she exited the floor of the maternity ward there were only two lifts in or out of this ward to protect the children and the mothers as well as alarms if any child was removed.

She walked up to the nurses station with purpose her face masked as to what the purpose was. “Chief Inspector Jewel Stone, I’m looking for Sarah Jones, I need to ask her a few questions” she stated, she new and kept the aliases to her self his girl was in danger but from what or who she did not know.

Detective Chief Inspector MCD, Jewel Stone

The nurse pressed a small button on the underside of the desk. “Yes Chief Inspector. May I see your credentials?” The maternity ward was almost as bad as the security ward. The staff tolerated no disruptions to their young families.

“Oh apologies,” she said pulling out her wallet and showing her, she into her coat pocket and placed her shield on her belt in plain view.
In the meantime an old Klingon woman came up the hall. “I’m Ok’jiv, head midwife. Can I help you inspector?”

Dr. Fayth, DoMSS
“Hello doctor, yes, I’m investigating a few hits in the registry for a one, Sarah Jones, her scans returned something that I need to look into” she said trying not to air the girls past out to the room.

Detective Chief Inspector MCD, Jewel Stone
~Constable Blackwood

The nurse nodded, she’d checked the inspector’s credentials and Ok’jiv noted the authenticity of the badge. “Come with me please.” She led her down the hall. She stopped at the door and knocked before cracking the door. “Sarah, it’s Dr. Ok’jiv. Detective Stone would like to see you. Are you up for a visit?” She purposely shortened Stone’s title so as not to make the young mother fearful and stressed again.

Dr. Fayth, DoMSS

She was resting after her meal and though a part of her really wanted to sleep, another part of her was still on edge. Constable Blackwood had mentioned a ‘friend’ coming to see her, so she wasn’t surprised, but even as she nodded to Ok’jiv, Stellaris was wary.

‘Sarah’ watched the woman enter and her whole body went tense and she forced herself to breathe. Even if she was technically free to go, she had illusions that she could just blend into the background around here anymore. She had drawn too much attention already. This woman’s attire screamed serious business and Stellaris knew this was a big deal.

~Stellaris

Jewel stepped into the room, as much as she wanted to make this woman comfortable, she needed to know how much trouble shes in.

“Hi Sarah, ” she said her voice full of compasion, she was only wanted for questioning she could just be a scared witness. “Im Detective Chief Inspector Stone, i need to ask you some questions, Constable Blackwood and Detective Sergeant Holt brought your case to my attention” she paused, looking at her for signs that the girl knew why she was here. “First you do not have to talk to me” she noted, “you should also be aware that I am her to execute a warrant as well as investigate your pressence in and around Oed, in particular starfleet operations.” She noted and waited for a response.

Detective Chief Inspector MCD, Jewel Stone
~Constable Blackwood

Ok’jiv stood. “Sarah would you like me to stay, or perhaps request legal council for you?” Ok’jiv absolutely would not tolerate the inspector upsetting Sarah. She had a job to do, Ok’jiv understood that, but so did she. This girl was sick and she and her child needed long term immediate care.

Dr. Fayth, DoMSS

The word warrant made her heart sink. Her gaze flicked to the Klingon. “Please stay. I’ll answer some questions and we’ll see about the other.”

‘Sarah’ (who was sitting up in bed with the bed raised to support her) sucked in a deep breath and levelled an even gaze at Stone, attempting to channel confidence she really did not possess. She gestured for her to come closer. “What is it that you want to know?”

~”Sarah Jones” aka Stellaris

Jewel sat down and smiled, “I’m sorry to have to do this, but there is not much time before the case moves to the Starfleet liaison for Starfleet.” Jewel was hoping to get enough information to maybe convince them to at least leave her on the case. “The warrant, well you’ll have to sort that out with them, I’m just here to execute it.” she noted. “Where were you last month on the 14th around 9pm?” she asked, that was the time the artifact was removed if she could place her somewhere else that’s verifiable, then the warrant would go away.

Detective Chief Inspector MCD, Jewel Stone

Her right hand rested just below her bump and clenched. She breathed slowly, despair washing over her face. She could lie but where would that get her? “It’s not what you think. I didn’t do anything. But I was there. Not by choice at first. It was just an opportunity to look for information. I didn’t know what they were going to do.” Stellaris let out a bitter chuckle. “I should have known better.” She shifted her gaze out towards the window wondering what the garden might be like down there. It had been a long time since she had been in an outdoor green space.

“Sarah Jones” aka Stellaris
She looked at her, “It will be ok,” she said. “if you were forced to go, or did not know, it will more likely be received, if you help the investigation. “I’ll be recording from her out ok?” she sat down the recorder but did not turn it on yet.

Detective Chief Inspector MCD, Jewel Stone
~Constable Blackwood

Her eyes widened with nothing less than terror, but ‘Sarah’ managed to breath through the discomfort. “If I help you, what’s to stop them from finding me?” She leaned forward ever so slightly. “Don’t you understand? These people are dangerous. You’re worried about an artifact?” She laughed bitterly. “I’ve lost everything because of them and I did it with a f-in smile on my face because I didn’t understand. I was too young to understand! You say everything will be okay, but my baby is not okay. I am not okay! And there is nothing you can magically do to make everything okay, so record whatever the hell you want, but understand that there is no where safe I can go. They will find me, even here. It was so stupid of me to come here, I don’t know what I was thinking!” She all but huffed those last words and Stellaris realized how angry she was. But her anger was not at the detective. She was angry at people who would never take responsibility for the harm they had caused. So what if she ended up dead, there would be another to take her place. Her baby though? She knew they would kill her to get her baby, if that is what it took.

Overwhelmed and ashamed, Stellaris covered her face with her hands as she realized just how bad the situation truly was.

~Stellaris

Jewel place a hand softly on her shoulder, letting the recording remain off for now. “Your right there are no guarantees in life, but we can get you into custody and probly in Starfleet protection. I’ll do everything in my power to keep you both safe, but you have to tell me who ‘they’ are.” she asked

Detective Chief Inspector MCD, Jewel Stone
~Constable Blackwood

So intense were her emotions that Stellaris flinched slightly at the hand on her shoulder, but it did make her drop her hands and gaze at Jewel. It would be such an easy thing to tell them everything, but it was forbidden. And yet, wasn’t she already condemned? Wasn’t she already a liability now that she had dared to leave. She was already talking to the police, so it hardly mattered what more she said. Tears in her eyes, she knew deep down it was time. If she was ever to have a chance, she had to trust that they would keep their word and protect her. “You need to record this,” she said softly.

Jewel press record and the timer started to account for, she noted the time and stardate of the interview. “Subject of Intrest; Sharah Jones alais, Stellaris alias unknown actual, she has asked that his be recorded for the record, Witnessed by Dr.Fayth, Please continue Sharah” she said getting the information cataloged for later.

She shifted her gaze to Ok’jiv. “You asked about my tattoo. It was a symbol of reaching the Third Stratum. It marks you as forever a Child of the Order of the Great Echo. It’s very painful and the more blessed you are, the less you react to or even feel the pain of them cutting it into your skin. Then they add a dye that makes the mark more visible. I also got my Cosmic name, Stellara. I used Stellaris when I came here because I have been Stellara so long now that I don’t know how to be anyone else. I thought if I could change even a part of my name it might make leaving easier. It didn’t,” she said with a chocked sob that she quickly stifled. Containing her emotions was somethign she had learned how to do a very long time ago.

Shifting her troubled gaze to Stone, Stellaris continued. “In order to reach the Third Stratum, you have to go through Disconnection. You are not allowed outside connections, not even with family or friends. I was terrible to my family. I’ve been a horrible person, for a long time. Done things I wish I could take back, but it was all a part of the Doctrine of Ascension. That’s what they wanted the artifact for. It was one of the many prophecies and they needed it to make something happen. I was never allowed to know the details, but I overheard them talking about how the artifact was connected to a ritual and that the baby would come at the perfect time. I was the only one pregnant in the inner circle so I knew they meant my baby.

“At the Starfleet facility they wanted me to use some of my skills to block the security system so they had more time to get the artifact. But I purposefully didn’t do a good job and we were forced to get out of there sooner and nearly were caught. They realized my ruse afterwards. I had already been questioning things and I was punished for those questions. This time? He was so angry with me and made sure I understood that disobedience would not be tolerated. I didn’t want my child to grow up treated like that. So once my punishment was over, I fled. The baby’s father helped me escape, but I cut off any communication with him. He doesn’t know where I was headed because a small part of me wasn’t sure I could fully trust him.” Tears carved paths over her cheeks. “I’m alone and the only people who might have been safe are lost to me because I threw them away twenty years ago.”

~Stellaris

Ok’jiv stepped over and set an arm around her. “You will be safe. I told you, and I swear it on my honor.” She had already put things in motion.

Dr. Fayth, DoMSS

Her lower lip trembled as she leaned into Ok’jiv’s embrace. “I want to believe you, I really do,” she said. “It’s just very hard to trust that.”

Jewel did not say anything she had no prommis she could give her at the moment. She pulled up the two missing persons photo’s, if it was her which it sure looked like it then her father needed to be notified and as bad as she had been Jewel suspect he just wanted her home. “Is this you? ” she said showing her both photos if it was it would explain why she was stalking him.

Detective Chief Inspector MCD, Jewel Stone

Her eyes widened and she gazed at the brunette girl. She wiped the tears form her eyes and nodded. “If you have that, then that means you know my real name, don’t you?” Was that a good thing? Perhaps. They weren’t stupid. Stone had also mentioned wanting to talk to her about her ‘activities on Oed’. She suspected they knew about her following him around. It wasn’t hard to figure out the situation, but she wasn’t sure if would be a problem or not. Or what would happen next.

~Stellaris

Jewel looked at her, she was a woman trapped between two giants with no where to go, there was little deception in her which was a welcome thing. Perhaps she would make her time with Karina tonight. “I do, and this ties to a missing persons filed by your brother,” she said not wanting to air her real name. “I have to inform my boss who is the liason to starfleet here on OED, and we have to inform our brother that you have been found. ” she paused. “I have to do the first right now, but while I do that please think about how you would like to address your brother I can call him and ask him to come her, or I can call him to the station and talk with him there first. The question is, do you want to see him?” she said tapping her comes.

=^=” DCI Pangolin, DCO Stone, I have a potential case for you sir, case file Alpha four four one Niner four alpha clearance zulu” =^= She said making notes that the interview and confirmation was still in progress at the hospital. =^=”Sir the Identity has been validated, we are talking about how to notify her brother on the matter will update, Stone Out.=^=

She looked back at the woman. “If it were me, I would want to see my sister again not matter how bad things were, he filed the missing persons for a reason.” she said noting that her behavior in the stocking suggested that she was scared to talk to him.

Detective Chief Inspector MCD, Jewel Stone
~Constable Blackwood