A rather unimpressed chat.
Posted on Mon Oct 25th, 2010 @ 1:19am by Lieutenant Lorne Jaxara & Colonel Damon Raine
957 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission: Peace, or Something Like It
ON
Jaxara walked up to Major Raine.
"The Marines will have to take over the investigation into Commander York's disappearance," he said, without preamble, or care for who was in earshot. "I just was forcibly deported."
Damon looked up from the latest PADD of Intel and frowned at Jaxara's words. "Why? What the hell happened?"
"It was a simple question." Jaxara said. "I asked what the hell happened there. A woman was snarky about it, and decided to escalate the issue."
The Marine found it difficult to take the response at face value considering of what he knew of the tactical officer.
"How exactly did she escalate the situation?"
"The situation did not go well, and will be in my report. I am only here to inform you that your staff will be taking control of the situation down planet, not to orally re-represent the report I have to make for the Captain when she returns." Jaxara said. "Though it is admitted that Security members were not the most diplomatic."
Damon nodded. "I'm not surprised; everyone is on high alert right now."
He sighed and ran his hand through his hair, the stress was starting to get to him. "I could have really used you down there Lorne, every set of eyes matters right now. Maybe you can go over the eyewitness reports and look for any inconsistencies from your office. It's likely the assailants needed help to get inside, some of the guards may be in on it."
Jaxara nodded. "I am sending Lire down. She's about the only member of Security that is capable of being borderline diplomatic." Jaxara noted. "Besides, she's actually a better evidence sniffer than I am."
"Good, an eye that knows what to look for is even better. Tell her not to cause too much trouble, though. If you were kicked off the planet it is likely they will try to make us all leave if something happens again. I don't need to tell you that we will not leave without Sam, I'm sure you can piece together what our response would be."
"Major Raine, I appreciate your concern." Jaxara said. "But I will not see this ship leave orbit without Commander York in Command. If they force us to leave, we will remain, in force, if necessary. Just so we understand each other. The inhabitants, the fates, the oath be damned, I will not stop until that woman is safely aboard this ship."
"On this we are of the same mind. Most times, however, burning our bridges is counter productive; keep that in mind going forward. We could really use their resources and man power right now. Hopefully it doesn't come to the point where we have to go off the reservation."
Jaxara merely nodded. "Whatever it takes."
"Good. When you talk to your staff make sure they know to play nice down there, it may be our best shot of getting Sam back if we all work together. If anyone jeopardises our chances of that..." He let the point trail off hoping that Jaxara would catch his meaning based off the steeled expression on his face.
"We are getting that woman back aboard this ship, Major Raine. I do not care what laws I have to break in that regard, and I do not care if it costs me my rank pips, my position in Starfleet, or even my right to leave a penal colony without it being a felony." Jaxara noted. "Whatever it takes. Jeopardizing our chances? There is always another alternative, and no, I don't care if we have to take down the entirety of the Security department, Armed, and forcibly search every nook and cranny of that planet, with weapons and scanners. We will find her. Now let's quit wasting time and get on with it."
Damon`s frustration level had reached his boiling point. His words didn`t seem to be getting through to the man and it was likely that if he didn`t follow orders Jaxara might indeed hamper their chances. He could feel himself slipping.
"There isn't 'always' another alternative Lorne. We can light a match and watch the world burn to get what we want. If we do this right we will find her and NOT have to deal with a diplomatic incident afterwards. If anyone, even if it's someone on this ship, hinders finding her, so help me I WILL lose my insignia, position and spend a VERY long time in a penal colony. We do this right and we do this fast. Clear!?" He slammed the PADD in his hand against wall, shattering the screen and much of the PADD's exterior.
"You'll have to, to find me, if I'm that one person." Jaxara said. "I don't give a damn if I lose my insignia finding her. I've got nothing left to lose."
"Believe me, I'll find something." He said dangerously.
Damon suddenly became aware that others were watching the exchange between the two intently, shock being the common facial expression of the men and women around them. With more effort than he would like to admit, he unclenched his fist and took a deep breath.
He knew if he stayed things would only get escalated to a point where there was no turning back. Instead, with a shake of his head, he turned his body and started to walk away. "Don't screw this up Lorne." He said in an even tone without looking at the man.
"If it saves her life," Lorne said, as he walked away, in the direction of the lift. "I will screw up whatever I have to."
END
Major Damon Raine
Marine CO
USS Calypso
Likely temporarily Lieutenant, Lorne Jaxara
Chief Security and Tactical Officer.
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