Nark or Duty?

Posted on Fri Feb 7th, 2025 @ 5:35am by Lieutenant Bela Swain & Commodore Samantha York

1,398 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Broken Mirror
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: After interrogating the prisoner

Sam knew she needed to report to Admirals Burke and Hunter, but she wasn't quite ready to do so. She wanted to write up what she knew--or what she knew so far. It would help her process what happened, and what they missed. Then she would talk to the Knights and fill in the gaps. She didn't have long, either. Hunter would be contacting her before the day was out if she didn't and she wanted to have some answers, and a plan for what to do next.

She also needed time for her crew to effect repairs. She ran a hand through her hair. The mercenaries knew they were coming. Or they knew someone was coming. Did that mean there was a leak somewhere or were they just lucky? She stood and went to her replicator for a cup of herb tea. That was a rabbit hole she wasn't ready to go down just yet. First, what they knew. Then what they suspected. Finally, what they would do next. And that report.

She sat at her desk and began to type. It helped her think better than when she dictated.

Bela was disturbed at the encounter that she had with the prisoner. The proper procedure was to address this with the Captain. They had a tenuous relationship, but they did seem to understand each other to some extent. After a slight hesitation, she decided to ring the chime.

Sighing, Sam saved her report and turned to the door. "Come."

Bela walked in the door. Rather than walking over to Sam and hugging her, she moved to a chair across from Sam and unceremoniously plopped down in the chair with a heavy sigh.

Sam watched her for a moment. In the time she'd known Bela, she'd never been down like this. "What happened?"

"Torture," Bela answered. "I could not stop it."

"Explain."

"There's not much to explain. The entire experience was draining. Commander Damion Knight was forceful and was rather insistent that his way of getting information was the only correct way. That was not awful. However, Commander Alex Knight grabbed the prisoner and pointed a phaser at him. He even threatened to remove clothing from the prisoner. Any rapport that I hoped to establish with the prisoner was destroyed. I was helpless to do much. I'm sorry. I failed you."

Sam was definitely going to review the video. And have a talk with Damion and the Knights. "Why did he point a phaser and why threaten to remove clothing?" This was definitely sounding like more paperwork as well.

Bela sat up a little bit straighter, hearing the concern in Sam's voice. It helped her regain some energy. "Well, the Commander was convinced that the prisoner was part of the Lost and not just a grunt. He demanded that he pull down a sleeve and take off his shirt but the prisoner was noncompliant. For the record, it turned out the Commander was correct in his guess about the prisoner."

Sam nodded. "With the urgency of the situation, I can understand that. Unfortunately, we were unable to find the ship the scientist was on before they jumped to warp."

"Urgency or not, the ends do not justify the means, Commodore. It is our principles that make us who we are. If we compromise those, the slope is slippery and soon, we lose our way."

"But there are times when the gray area is needed. I'm not saying violate regulations, but even those are not always black and white," Sam replied. They were just mostly black and white--depending on the regulation.

"There is plenty of room for grey when it comes to personal choices and interpreting regulations. However, when it comes to violence, the ends never justify the means. Those who utilize violence and find it works are more inclined to use it again and justify it. Now that is not to say one does not have a right to defend oneself. That is a well-recognized exception. After all, that is defense rather than offense. Here, it was all offense."

"What would you have done instead?" Sam still wanted to look at the video--in private--and have a talk with the others, but she felt it was important to know how the counselor would have handled the situation to truly understand both sides.

"I'm not certain what you're asking. There were a number of different situations that were going on. However, Commander Damion Wolfe made it clear that this was his investigation and only wanted me as eyes, not for any of my potential suggestions."

"Unless there's a need for a counselor or he's mistreating his prisoners, that is his prerogative," Sam replied.

"I may not like that; but, I am aware of that," Bela confessed. "All that is mine is yours or Starfleet's. That does not mean that I am comfortable with what occurred, and I merely observed as I was told."

Sam nodded. She had some answers, but nothing concrete. Which led her back to needing to review the video of the interrogation to determine for herself what happened. "What would you like Commanders Wolfe and Knight to do differently next time? How do you wish you were involved?"

"I wish that my suggestions were listened to and considered rather than dismissed. I would have liked to collaborate rather than be shoved to the side as 'eyes.' I also did not like the suggestion from Commander Wolfe that I was being manipulated. I do realize that time was somewhat of the essence, so maybe my suggestions would not have worked, but starting without a hostile attitude may have yielded results. If not, the other route was always available. One cannot really return from hostility unless you play the bad cop-good cop routine, but even that was not given an opportunity. I'm a counselor, for a reason, Commodore. I have psychological insights that others may not. I know that for some, I am a bit unconventional, but I always try to leave a place better than it was, as I'm certain that my prior record would show that I have."

She paused for a moment before continuing, "As to Commander Knight, I would have liked to have seen that he did not lose his cool. If he had not guessed right, regarding this particular prisoner, eh could have harmed both the prisoner and his own record by making a horrendous error. Had the other woman not stepped in, I do believe that he might have fired that phaser on the prisoner. He probably could stand to benefit from anger management."

In the past, that had often been how Sam felt about Commander Wolfe. She was pleased that he seemed to have mellowed since she last observed him dealing with interrogations. Or even with Lieutenant Batiste. For Commander Knight...pulling a phaser was definitely an escalation she wasn't comfortable with. But again, she needed both sides--and the computer records. "Thank you. You have valid points. As I said, I will look at the Brig recordings and talk to the commanders about this." What she would do depended on the evidence, but it wasn't sounding very good. Perhaps she should talk to Alora Knight first? "Time was definitely a factor, as we needed the information to keep the scientist from being taken out of system, but that didn't happen and now I need the Knights' help to find him. That may be why things escalated as they did, but still..." She shook her head. "I'll take it from here."

Bela nodded. "I'm sorry that I am not my normal self at the moment. I'm going to figure out some self-care now so I can be at my best for the crew very soon." The counselor rose from the chair. "Thank you for taking this time with me and listening. I appreciate it."

"You're welcome." Sam stood and went around her desk to hug Bela. "Take what time you need."

The Commodore came to me and hugged me? Bela felt her batteries recharge slightly, as she leaned into the hug and hugged Samantha back. "Thank you." She smiled warmly. "I really love your hug." I've grown on her. Goody! Reluctantly, Bela broke the hug. "I'll be right as rain soon. Bye, Commodore."


OFF

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer
USS Calypso

Lieutenant Bela Swain
Chief Counselor
USS Calypso

 

RSS Feed