[E] David Whale: Favour for Frankenstein

[UFOP: StarBase 118: USS Invicta]

((Residence of David Whale and Fiona Shelley, Edinburgh, Scotland, Earth))

:: Leaning back in his chair, Whale sipped his tea and pondered the discussion he’s just had.  He honestly wasn’t sure how he felt about it and was even less sure how he felt about agreeing to help.  He owed Frankenstein a favour for the Medusan’s help with that Yves Sonneau mess among others, but this seemed an odd way for Frankenstein to call in that favour -- by essentially gifting the favour to… ::

Whale: ...the hell was her name…

:: He glanced at his notes, handwritten in pencil.  Since leaving Starfleet, Whale had rediscovered the joy of going “old school.”  The irony was not lost on him -- or his wife, who continued to tease him about it. ::

Whale: Rahman.  Roshanara Rahman.

:: The name was vaguely familiar.  He knew they’d never served together, but given the positions he’d held within Starfleet, it was entirely possible that her file had crossed his desk at some point -- especially if she’d been, at any point in her career, a troublemaker. ::

Shelley: Hey.

:: Looking up from his notes, Whale smiled at his wife.  Though she’d be turning forty-seven in a few months, Doctor Fiona Shelley still looked amazing and was aging better than he was.  She still only had the one, single stripe of white in her red hair, while his salt-and-pepper hair was leaning more toward salt every day.  Mostly due to Starfleet. ::

Whale: Hey.  How are the girls?

:: Olivia and Mairin, their daughters, would be turning four in December.  Twins, according to the medical records Frankenstein had helped Whale, Shelley and their friend Oliver Weston falsify -- covering up the fact that Mairin was in fact a parallel universe version of Olivia, rescued from that universe’s doomed USS Drake moments before its warp core ruptured, killing all aboard. ::

:: In retrospect, though he’d certainly found himself chafing under Starfleet’s regulations before, it was that event, that “we can’t interfere to save these people” directive, that had begun Whale’s slow split from the service.  Yes, the later frustrations, the struggles in trying -- and failing -- to affect any kind of reform in the Starfleet Marine Corps training program, had played a major role in his resignation, but it was that event that started the ball rolling. ::

Shelley: They’re fine.  We’re setting the table for dinner, but judging by the look on your face…

:: She smiled sadly. ::

Whale:  No, no.  I’m not going anywhere -- not tonight anyway.  Not for a couple days and even then, won’t take long.  And what I agreed to do…

:: He sighed and rubbed at his eyes.  Bloody headache was coming back. ::

Whale: I’m going to see Vines again.

Shelley: So soon?

Whale: Not by choice.  Starfleet-

:: Shelley held up a hand to stop him. ::

Shelley: To quote a certain David Whale, “I’ve given Starfleet enough -- they can kiss my ass.”

:: Grinning, Whale took another sip of his tea.  God, it was good tea.  One of many reasons he loved Fiona so much -- she made a killer cup of tea for someone from the moon. ::

Whale: And they can.  Frankenstein needs a favour.  Needs me to introduce Vines to an associate of his.

:: He watched as Shelley’s eyes narrowed slightly and he continued, knowing exactly what the question would be. ::

Whale: They need someone to consult on a project -- getting the USS Venture spaceworthy again.

Shelley: I thought we were still trying to convince people you had no idea where he went after being discharged?

Whale: Rahman agreed that Vines wouldn’t be mentioned in any documentation unless he agrees to help.  It was my condition for... tracking him down.

 

:: He used air quotes around the last bit. ::

Shelley: And do you think he will? What about how this would affect him?

:: Whale stood.  Kissed Shelley on the cheek.  Shrugged. ::

Whale: It’s courting disaster and I hope he tells them to go to hell.

TBC...

David Whale

Assistant Director with the Criminal Intelligence Operations

Lt. Colonel (Ret.), Starfleet Marine Corps