AQ/D01 - Ready Room

[Daniel Brooks]

==As per image on the wiki, however two extra items on display are a sword given to Captain Brooks by Commander Velaul and a model of his first Command a Luna Class USS Charon==

[Daniel Brooks]

==A week into Shore leave, DS9==

Daniel entered his office with a little black box and walked around the desk. Sitting down he opened a draw and placed it in the top, not closing it.

Tapping his commbadge he said, "Brooks to Kurasa, please report to my Ready Room. Brooks out."

He picked up a PADD, Dan sat and read through a report from one one of the medical officers who had put a paper in to be sent on about some research they been doing. It was fascinating reading and of course made the time between Brooks calling for the Chief of Security to their arrival seem a very short time indeed.

==Tag Kurasa==

[Shione Kurasa]

Shione had been very busy and very relaxed for the full duration of her leave.

She had spent every possible minute with her wife and daughter. They had filled every moment with laughter and affection and that was just what the Aquila's second officer needed. Jelaya and Aashaa were staying aboard. Their quarters were more than large enough and both her mate and daughter were busy with work and school, so as the time for a new mission approached she felt more than ready this time for whatever the CO had for her.

They had just finished dinner when the call came in to report and less than 5 minutes later she crossed the bridge and entered as ordered.

"Lieutenant Commander Kurasa reporting as ordered Captain. What do you need from me Sir?"

==Tag Brooks==

[Daniel Brooks]

The door to the Ready Room opened and in walked his Security Chief, Daniel watched as she reported in,

"Lieutenant Commander Kurasa reporting as ordered Captain. What do you need from me Sir?"

Dan kept silent for a minute or so and went back to reading the PADD in front of him before finally putting it down and saying,

"Take a seat Commander."

Once his chief had sat down he looked at the PADD again for a moment before saying,

"You know, sometimes our missions never bear the fruit we want... sometimes all the risks and the pressure we don't seem to get that final confirmation to that over bearing question."

He looked at Kurasa straight at her with his icy blue eyes with an intense stare at her,

"See, thing is. it not always about the destination, sometimes its the journey. Our last mission was quite the journey and I don't think you or even myself was prepared to come away with not much more knowledge then we did at the start. However...."

Dan paused and reached into the draw beside him before sliding the small black box across the desk to Commander Kurasa.

"I fell what you had done, how you risk yourself, trying to gain the intelligence we needed, how you lead an away team with a possible chance of death... without a second thought was immense bravery and I didn't think that should go unnoticed."

Brooks paused for the officer to open the black box as he carried on,

"You are hereby award for your actions the Gold Star medal. Congratulations." Brooks gave a broad smile.

==Tag Kurasa==

[Shione Kurasa]

Shione entered the CO's ready room assuming that they would be discussing Star Fleet's plans for their next deployment, but the Captain seemed too relaxed to be discussing such matters and besides Beno wasn't present.

She sat as the Captain directed and was truthfully surprised when his tone and subject matter turned to focus on the previous mission. Not being someone that expected to be recognized for her efforts she sat still and listen to Brooks describe how pleased he had been with the most recent away team mission.

It had been a very strange and as it played out; a possibly lethal mission  for the Away team. All of the team had performed ahead of what had been expected and momentarily losing her focus and thinking about how it ended she was taken aback when Roger slid a small black box across the table to her.

"I felt what you had done, how you risk yourself, trying to gain the intelligence we needed, how you lead an away team with a possible chance of death... without a second thought was immense bravery and I didn't think that should go unnoticed."

Brooks paused for the officer to open the black box as he carried on,

"You are hereby award for your actions the Gold Star medal. Congratulations."  Brooks gave a broad smile.

Shione was; at that moment glad for her Vulcan discipline as she immediately realized what it meant, and even so, seeing the golden award she admittedly did likely show how pleased and surprised she was;  but managed to recover her poise and smiled warmly, nodding in respect for the Captain's and admittedly; friend's generosity.

"Thank you so much Captain. Personally, I was pleased that we got everyone back safe and sound, and credit goes TO the team for their professionalism and composure during that short but as it turned out dangerous away team assignment.

As you know all too well Captain, sometimes it is good to be lucky but also in this case particularly; to have a Captain who knew when we needed to be pulled out and got us all back here safe and sound; so, thank YOU Sir for having our backs."

Shione paused to recapture her normal composure before offering her best smile for her CO and friend.

==Tag Brooks==

[Daniel Brooks]

Brooks smiled at being thanked for getting them back at the right time.

"I don't need thanking Shione, I was only making sure I didn't lose any of our crew. The hardest thing to do is sending a crew member to their death and that is one thing I am to not do in my career."

Dan then looked at the pile of PADDs

"Sadly now that exciting thing has been done I have to return to my usual work load."

==Tag Kurasa==

[Beno Velaul]

<<<< Bridge<<<<

Sitting behind Daniels desk made Beno think of one of her own, not that one but one she earned later. This time on the other hand was one she didn't want to do, contact Star Fleet command. When there was an issue with their Diplomats, they should be notified without delay.

"Computer secure communication to Star Fleet command." Beno waited for the sound of the secure channel, what seemed like minutes were actually seconds before the channel was open. [Star Fleet Command this is Commander Velaul of the Aquila, and I have an urgent update.] The communication shouldn't take too long to start, but would feel otherwise.

==GM input please==

[GM-07]

After a brief pause, the communication channel opened. On the other end sat Commodore Ilas, a cobalt-skinned Andorian. She wore her silver hair tied in a tight ponytail, her antennae curled flat against the top of her head like a pair of sleeping vipers.

“Commander Velaul, how kind of you to check in. I trust you’ve gotten to the bottom of Ambassador Weisbrantz’s request. I hope it’s nothing that Aquila can’t handle.” She clasped her hands expectantly, awaiting Velaul’s response.

[Samira Khasim]

A text message came in from Samira on the bridge: [K to V: We may have found something. There are vehicle tracks that had been detected near the shuttle. We're tracking them now.]

==Tag Velaul==

[Beno Velaul]

It was unfortunate that the only news that Benohad to give was bad, there was some good news as long as it was relieved that way. "I am afraid the answer is no, there has been a development. The wreckage of the Ambassadors shuttle is on the planet, there are also no signs of the Ambassador or anyone else from the shuttle. It gives us hope they are still alive, and we are attempting to find them. The shuttle itself shows that it was attacked, with anything that they could take stolen.  Normally this would make it easier to find, however the planets environment is making everything difficult. Captain Brooks is with a team on the surface with Ambassador Weisbrantz attempting to piece together what happened, from our reception it stands to reason they are more interested in technology than her."  

Beno paused for a second before continuing. "The planet itself shows that they are technology driven, and the introduction of our technology could disrupt the balance of power on the planet. Something that should be avoided." Beno knew that the Admiral didn't need to be reminded of what can happen. The text message came in and Beno paused again. "New information has arrived we are tracking a set of vehicle tracks, a promising lead that will give us a better idea of what happened." Beno was greatful for her crew, they had talent.

==GM input please ==

[GM-07]

The commodore’s eyes were fixed on Velaul as she spoke. At times, she was so still that the video feed appeared to have frozen.

“You’re telling me that our incoming ambassador, Saida Gebrezghi, has been attacked and possibly kidnapped on a foreign planet? If this is true, it could be considered an act of war against the Federation,” Ilas huffed. “I recommend that you complete your investigation quickly, Commander. I’m giving you 24 hours to get to the bottom of this before I escalate the situation.”

“Regarding Ambassador Weisbrantz,” Her face soured even further. “I’ve done some research. The Diplomatic Corps is opting to recall him in lieu of a formal investigation, related to his suspected link to the local crime families. I wouldn’t put it past him to be involved with Gebrezghi’s disappearance. Be prudent, Commander. This isn’t only about one minor planet. Our adversaries, including the Cardassians, will be watching this situation very closely.”

The commodore cut the feed abruptly, leaving Velaul accompanied only by the cold glow of the ready room’s screen.

[Beno Velaul]

Sitting back in the chair Beno knew that things could go from bad to worse in a blink of an eye, the trick was going to be to stop it before it began. "Computer set a silent timer for twenty four hours from now." She had a hand over her face for a second because this was the only time she could harbor any level of doubt, after she goes into a populated area that had to stop.

"This close to the Cardassian space them watching us is expected." Beno said to herself while attempting to figure things out, the Cardassians already think the Federation was weak, even if history told a different story. If he was really involved with the crime family, it could complicate things further. 

Grabbing a padd Beno started to write a message. [Commander Kurasa: Star Fleet Eyes Only... We have twenty four hours to put this to rest, after this time Star Fleet is escalating this to War. Information has arrived that states our Ambassador is in league with the established Crime Families, who might be responsible for the disappearance of the Ambassador Gebrezghi. He is being relieved of duty there, this is in leu of having a formal investigation.] She sent the message encrypted so it needed a command code to open. 

Beno got up from the chair, and started to go back to the bridge. It was going to be the last time she could breathe easy for a while, but she knew this going in to it.

>>>>> Bridge>>>>

[Daniel Brooks]

<<<Bridge<<<

Daniel entered the Ready Room and moved around behind his desk. his icy blue eyes studied Beno carefully as this wasn't your usual Ambassador change over.

It felt very off and he didn't like having a niggling feeling inside him.

"Okay Beno, let's hear it." he said knowing that they probably didn't have long with what she was about to tell him.

==Tag Beno==

[Beno Velaul]

<<<Bridge<<<<<

Going to a chair Infront of his desk. "I suggest that you make yourself comfortable, this is going to take a bit." Beno waited for him to sit down.

"I had to report the shuttle being shot down to Star Fleet Command, Commodore Ilas was concerned that she was either Kidnaped or killed. Fortunately both of them are true She is in fact alive and well, she is being held in accordance with their laws." A better explanation of why was going to be in order.

"When the flight plan was submitted they were given instructions to make contact with the Tanndi Nation before entering their air space, they were shot down because they stick to protocol like Vulcans. The fact she was flying over restricted air space didn't help matters, it added fuel to a fire that was already started. They treated her injuries the best they could, she is going to need some cosmetic work up here because they can't do it down there." Beno paused to think about how to continue.

"This brings me to Jonas who started the fire, he stands accused of espionage for attempting to gain access to top secret files pertaining to Weapons. It is believed that Saida and Jonas are working together, that isn't going to make things easy for her at all. Even if we can establish she isn't working with Jonas to gain these secrets, there is going to be a layer of mistrust with her." There was more to come, but it had to be off the record.

"Off the record I had a meeting with General Alukh, when he learned that Jonas was shot, he seemed genuinely disturbed by this fact. The disappointment in his voice because this could trigger a war with us, on top of war with other nations of Riani. The General hopes we can find a way to achieve Peace, a goal I hope we can achieve." She Shifted a little in her seat.

"On the record we met with President Khushku who was presently surprised we were attempting to figure out what happened to understand from their side of things, and not just come in like a storm imposing our ways on them, if that happened she would have shut down the talks on the spot. Instead we were able to put some fires out, she had the impression that the Federation was about imposing our views on others while standing in judgment to our standards of doing things. Now she knows we are about diplomacy and understanding, the reason our meeting went so long." She did have a slight sigh, Beno knew what needed to be done, but putting it in motion would be the hard part.

"I have agreed to turning over Jonas to face a fair trial, I did this because I knew they would view us as harboring a fugitive. I didn't want to appear like we believe the Federation is above the law, and again the peace talks would have come to a halt. The President is now scheduled to come up here for further peace talks, I am sure peace is in our grasp. There is more, but it all has to be off of the record. For now I have a little more than eleven hours to inform the Commodore about the Ambassadors situation." Beno stopped there because it was a lot of information to process, the investigation was extensive hopefully it managed to cover everything.

==Tag Captain==

[Daniel Brooks]

Daniel took a seat in Beno request as she went on to explain the complicated process she had been on.

"Well I guess we can't interfere with their legal position." replied Dan thoughtfully,

"For future talks and ease for another Ambassador I feel this is the only way like you to keep the door open, as long as they won't harm Jonas if he is found guilty." he paused,

"In your absence we have acquired a scientist who wants us to help them process dilithium as they are having issues shall we say... I have warned them to give them an advantage over others could interfere with the prime directive. However....." Brooks paused for a moment,

"On the other hand it could be used as a leverage for peace talks rather than handing Jonas over.... we can say that even StarFleet have concerns over him and need to do an investigation with him first before he can be returned to them."

Brooks looked at the desk for a moment and then back up at Beno, "I will visit Jonas in Sickbay and give him a choice on where he wants to go and then make a decision. Meanwhile, number one I want you to go and speak with the Scientist who is currently in our Observation Lounge and see what you think of the situation they face and help Khasim carry out the work if you think its viable in making the dilithium safe for them to process."

==Tag Beno==

[Beno Velaul]

The news Daniel just told her gave Beno a bad feeling, this could go wrong in so many ways but had a chance it could work, "Captain before you talk to him there is information you are going to need, off the record he has a family down there." Getting up to exit the room, Beno fixed her clothing.

"If he leaves with us now there is no chance he will see his Family again, Star Fleet has an idea about this and doesn't like it they just don't have proof.  This really is the best of all bad options, if he stays he stands a greater chance of being with them again. I am sure Jonas will tell you the same thing, in his stead I would prefer to roll the dice with them than have everything sealed with us." Beno left the room following orders, there was another thing that she wanted to say. "One last thing is on Riani they are extremely sensitive to who handles their Dilithium, this will either literally or figuratively explode in our faces or it might give us something that will help unite them all. You can probably guess what one I hope for." Beno left the room feeling like more of a Diplomat than Officer at this point,  If this was going to explode it wasn't going to be pretty.

>>>> Science Labs>>>

[Daniel Brooks]

The advice Beno gave him didn't really make anything easier or clearer,

"Yes." he said in a low voice as Beno left the room. Daniel sat for a minute or so in his chair.

His hands with his finger tips together as he sat thinking, trying to work out the best course of action. Finally getting up he headed to the exit of the Ready Room and back onto the Bridge.

>>>Bridge>>>

[Daniel Brooks]

<<<Bridge<<<

Daniel followed Beno into the Ready Room, went to the replicator and got himself a peppermint tea then walked around to behind his desk, he took a seat and then said,

"Help yourself from the replicator if you want anything." as he placed the cup on the desk.

He waited till the two officers were seated before he said,

"So, before we get to the debrief of what happened on the surface, what is you matter that you want to talk to us about Lieutenant?" he asked.

Knowing that there was clearly something on the officers mind and he didn't want them to be sat thinking about it when they could be contributing to the debrief.

==Tag Mala and Velaul==

[Jez Mala]

<<< Bridge <<<


Jez followed the senior officers into the Captain’s inner sanctum; she could feel her pulse starting to race. "Help yourself from the replicator if you want anything." Said Brooks.

Jez made her way over to the replicator, “ Ice water with a twist of lemon and a touch of cinnamon .” Said Jez.

Jez took her water and sat down before the Captain's desk. Her nerves were firing, her stomach was starting to knot; this was an important decision

"So, before we get to the debrief of what happened on the surface, what is you matter that you want to talk to us about, Lieutenant?" he asked.

Just say it, Jez, the worst that they can say is no.

“ Well, sir, Commander Velaul knows of my legal issue, but to bring you up to speed, the last couple of years I was involved in a relationship with Devyn Ukinix, a member of the Ninth House of Betazed. The Ninth House is known as the House of Wealth. Things were going well, but he changed; he began spouting Telepathic purity, how aliens were polluting Betazoid blood. He then became abusive. One night, while we were on a Holiday, he beat me and called me a filthy mongrel. The authorities on Bressa Prime helped me out; they took a report, but he used his family's wealth and influence, and the authorities on Bressa Prime did nothing. No arrests, no fines, nothing.” Said Jez, her voice sounding distant,


Jez took a sip of her water and then continued, “ As you know, I am with child. Ukinix found out that I’m pregnant, he wants custody of the baby, as he claims that I’m unfit to raise a child of the Ninth House.” Said Jez, her voice filled with a mixture of regret and frustration.

“Commander Talion is helping me with the custody battle, but it has forced me to make some very difficult choices. As you know, a Star Fleet Officer’s career can be unpredictable at best, especially a Star Fleet Security Officer. I was hoping that you and Commander Velaul would consider being godparents to my baby, I can’t leave my baby with my family, it just wouldn't be practical, my parents are Archeologists, traveling from place to place, ideally not the best situation for a child and my grandparent, well lets just say that the rest of my family would be unable to give a child the attention and care that it would need. Ukinix’s family, well, they are Telepathic supremacists, and I wouldn’t allow my child to be raised by them,” Said Jez.

Jez knew she had just dropped a bomb shell in the laps of her commanding officers; she knew her family would face backlash from the Ninth House, they were wealthy and powerful, and if her baby was under the care and protection of High ranking Star Fleet Officers, her baby would be safe if anything happened to her. Jez had peace of mind knowing that her roommate and friend, K”Vada offered to be Gin’tak to her baby. Jez wasn’t sure if a Half Klingon, Half Vulcan godmother would be a bad thing, but definitely offer a formidable protector.

“ Sirs, please feel free to decline, but it would mean a great deal to me if you would at least consider it.” Declared Jez, her tone hopeful.



== Tag All. ==

[Beno Velaul]

<<< Bridge<<<

Getting the most powerful caffeinated drink she could, Beno was listening to what Mala was saying. Admittingly this wasn't the conversation that she thought it was going to be, at least not yet. Beno thought it would have been more mission related. It really was of a personal nature with a lot of trust involved with the decision, something that Beno was honored to even be considered. Looking at Daniel for a second the thought suddenly hit her, they would be Grandparents together. This was the thought that almost made Beno spit her coffee, this wasn't exactly how she seen the relationship between CO and FO.

"I can only speak for myself, I am flattered by this. I would be honored to be a Grandparent, I know that this isn't an easy choice for you to make. I don't take this matter lightly, and wish for you both a long and healthy life together." She said with no idea how Daniel would react, Humans tend to feel old when hearing that they are or are going to be Grandparents.

Giving him time to fully come up with an answer Beno bought him some time. "I have to commend you about not firing until confirming a target, that was one of many things that aided in this outcome. Firing a weapon would have made things harder, more so if anyone got hurt. It would be interesting to hear what you would report about what happened down there, everything from the sky bar to the meeting with the President." Beno already had a report in mind, but wanted to hear what she would say.

==Tag==

[Jez Mala]

“ No commander you wouldn’t be Grandparents you would be godparents , in case anything happened to me. I would want my daughter to be raised by honest, caring people, people who could protest her, watch over her and guide her. Like I said, my parents and my siblings are too focused on their careers, my grandparents on my dad’s side are strict Vulcan's to the hilt and really don’t have the patience to raise a young mixed race child. My mother’s mothers mother, my beloved Nanna, she is just old and too close to the Noble Houses on Betazed.” Said Jez, her tone neutral and hopeful.

I hope they agree, thought Jez, she couldn't think of any two people more qualified to be godparents.

“Sirs, as far as the mission was concerned, I thought that firing wouldn’t help build trust with the Riani people, especially General Alukh. I don’t trust the General. He would use us shooting first as provocation to pursue a relationship with the Cardassians, He would challenge the President, telling the people of Riani that the Federation can’t be trusted, The shooting down of the Ambassador’s shuttle was clearly staged, by the General’s people, making it look like the President’s forces couldn’t be trusted, thus the Federation would grow tired of dealing with the Riani’s and pull out of this system. The President claims that their dilithium contains impurities , but I think everyone has forgotten, that the Cardassians were members of the Dominion, if the Dominion can clone soldiers, then they are capable of removing impurities in Dilithum,” Said Jez allowing the C.O. and The F,O to think about that.

“Now, General Alukh says that the Federation can’t be trusted, we should have the Cardassians come in and take over. Something tells me that the General has a shell company who owns the mining rights to the dilithum. Chances are he has a Bank account on Ferenginar, Coridan or Farius Prime, He did meet us in a Casino, or a bar or whatever that was. I’m a gifted Telepath, but I can also read body language very well. The General was working overtime to control his body language, which tells me he has something to hide. Whoever shot down the Ambassadors shuttle probably accessed the ships systems and found out the crew manifest and say that Commander Talion, Commander Kurasa and I are Telepaths, that’s why the General chose a noisy crowded place all those minds would make it hard to read one individual’s thoughts, especially if the Raini can link their cybernetic implants to form a mental shield, which I think they can do.” Stated Jez. “Im sure if we had more time to investigate, we would find that I’m right. “ Added Jez.

“ Captain, The President, was very nice, I think she is acting in the best interest of her people, she’s afraid that The General will unseat her, and unify the planet and have it be a Puppet Government run by the Cardassians in the shadows, she clearly wants to be part of the Federation, but unlike the General she wants to use her planet's resources for the good of all its people, not just the ruling elites, but COmmander Velaul presented the Federation very well, she assured The President that the Federation will offer as much or as little assistance and the Riani Government wants. I’m certain that the Commander convinced President Khushku to work with us..” Stated Jez.

General Alukh of the Tanndi Defense Force, on the other hand, can;t be trusted. I’m sure if we did an in-depth scan we would find that the Tanndi regions have the most Dilithum deposits, thus they would benefit the most if the Federation left and the Cardassians moved in. Their master stroke is if the Tandi puts into place the Federation Ambassador of their Choice would report back to the Federation that everything is fine, that there are no problems, especially no Cardassians. How would the Federation really know? Captain, I have no doubt that Commander Velaul was the reason for the success that we did have.



== Tag.==

[Beno Velaul]

It was a little embarrassing to hear something wrong, however it was a distinction without much of a difference. Other than spoiling the children with Candy, ice cream and annoying toys. Still there wasn't anything stopping her in the future, but it would be in the distant future.

As for the report it was very insightful, it needed to be refined a little more. As long as this kind of a report wasn't put on an official record its fine, on official record there were a few points that could go wrong. "I value your insights on this, it had a lot detail to be taken in consideration." She thought about how to present it a little more carefully.

"General Alukh might have some business with some off world people, including the Cardassians. As for the shooting yes there would be people who would have their misgivings about it, and the first job the General would have is to help calm down the population. He does have secrets like anyone in his position would, being second to only the President. Granted yes there could have been better places to meet than a nice room above a high-end bar, but there have been worse places I have met people for negotiations." One place she thought the floor was moving, until she realized it was a lot of bugs. 

"There is one thing that you didn't take into account, in politics she is accustomed to people not being strait with her. You down there were as strait as they come, she was absolutely amazed by this plus I didn't do anything to stop it. The big area of success that we had was we were attempting to understand what had happened, instead of simply pointing fingers and assigning blame. The President was expecting us to be shouting about going to war, instead we had the olive branch of peace. Captain I gave her my special bottle of Scotch reserved for taking the center chair, however I believe that this was a better cause." She didn't take a uprising for power into account, it was plausible and even if it were they wouldn't be able to stop it. "You should take pride in what you did down there, your part was equally as important. 

"To be honest its been a while since I have been this impressed by an Officer, the last one was my apprentice. Unfortunately that didn't end well, I am not sure what happened." Beno was happy to have her with her on this mission, and would have no issue having her again.

==Tag==