MSNPC Jetripar - The Delicate Game of Politics

[Jira Jaran]

(( Afalqi Project Launch Control - Meranuge IV ))

Silveira: We are only now starting our trek on this path…

Jetripar: Please, please. Go on in.

Silveira: This was an inside job, no matter how secure it is there is always a way around it.

(( Launch Bay - Afalqi Project Launch Control - Meranuge IV ))

Jetripar: Impressive, isn't it? No expense was spared. I poured my heart into it from inception.

Vitor arched an eyebrow.

Breys: It really is a marvel of science. It seems like you are processing substantially more data than even a Galaxy class would have put out in its heyday.

Vitor looked around.

Silveira: Da’al technology at its best…

K'Wara:  I assume everything that is considered ‘classified’ has already been removed from the room?

MacKenzie: Let's get to work.

Vitor nodded, and Captain MacKenzie and Breys began to take some readings.

Breys: Were you concerned about the effects of any of your new technologies on the crew?

Silveira: I think every aspect of ship building must be considered…

Jetripar wondered at the young officer's question. What did she know...?

Jetripar: To be sure, nothing aboard the Afalqi is any more dangerous than the various systems on your own ship.

Breys: It’s just, these consoles are a lot more like what you’d find in a sick bay than a launch bay.

MacKenzie: Partially, but not exclusively. ::gesturing with the hand holding the tricorder:: There seem to be more related to the ship and its construction on higher levels.

Silveira: I wonder if it is possible that we have access to the flight and test logs?

This was steadier ground than the idle conjecture that was happening between the Starfleet officers. Something concrete would give them something to distract themselves with and point them in a more helpful direction. He'd had the foresight to have prepared just such a document for them, as well. Scrubbed of all sensitive data, of course.

Jetripar: I would be happy to provide you with all relevant data.

Jetripar stepped to a nearby console and punched in a few commands. After a moment, a data stick was ejected from a port. Jetripar handed it to Silveira.

Jetripar: There you are, sir. All data pertaining to the ships performance in flight tests.
 
K'Wara:  ::shakes head:: First time outside the system, and it’s like this.

Breys: These were being used to monitor the ship? What exactly can you tell us about what made the Afalqi experimental?

Jetripar paused briefly. There was a line here, razor thin. The curated releases to the public and various agencies had been excellent at telling the public that fascinating and important things were happening without saying exactly what. Starfleet would need to know more, and they would dig until they found it. It was best to give them enough to keep them from looking further. In other words, a political answer.

Jetripar: It operates around a novel, self-regulating core. Most importantly, it redefines the way dilithium is used, reducing dilithium decay and consumption to a fraction of the standard.

MacKenzie: Secretary Jetripar, I know you outlined the extensive security presence already... Was that the same level of security present on the day the Afalqi was stolen?

Silveira: And was there any flight scheduled for that day?

This was even more comfortable ground.

Jetripar: I can assure you, Captain. Security remained of utmost important , and we retained a consistent level at all times. A test had indeed been scheduled for the following day, which is no doubt how Havun was able to pull off his heist. Much of the work of preparing the ship would already have been done for him.

K'Wara: Like any other day, hm...

Breys: Response

MacKenzie cocked her head slightly.

MacKenzie: And you consider the security staff to be trustworthy? Can you think of anyone else who might be here that would have helped them steal the ship?

K'Wara: Maybe someone who hasn’t shown up for work since?

Jetripar scoffed.

Jetripar: He brought his wife on to the project as well. Oh, she was mysteriously ill and unable to report for her duty shift the day prior, of course. And you're correct that I haven't spoken with her since, but I have reported her connection and circumstances to the civic authorities.

Breys: Response

Vitor took another step away from the group, then turned around.

MacKenzie: We're going to do our best to get to the bottom of this, Mister Secretary. ::to the others:: Where would you like to begin?

Silveira: Who figured out that it was Chief Engineer Havun who took the Afalqi?

Jetripar's eyebrows raised over wide eyes, as though the question were the most naive thing in the world.

Jetripar: Who else could it have been? I knew immediately when I heard it was missing.

MacKenzie: Response

Breys: Response

Silveira: I see… Secretary if you don’t mind me asking… ::he glanced at MacKenzie:: Where were you when the ship was reported missing?

Jetripar: I was on my commute to the office when my assistant informed me. It seems the custodial staff was running behind that morning, but they reported the irregularity immediately upon discovery.

Jetripar paused, but spoke again before anyone else could begin. He stood straighter than normal, if that were possible. Indignation had begun to form on his face.

Jetripar: Surely you aren't attempting to imply that I could have played a role in this horrendous theft!

MacKenzie: Response

Breys: Response

Silveira: I am trying to figure out the motive, that usually helps in finding out the truth. And honestly I am not ruling anyone out of a potential suspect list. Maybe Chief Engineer Havun is being framed…

Jetripar: Havun is most assuredly responsible for this heinous crime. He was observed here the night of the theft, outside of his usual duty shift, and his codes were used to access the bay. Surely that was in the report provided you and should make it clear that he is the one who has absconded with my ship!

MacKenzie: Response

Breys: Response

K'Wara:  Well, that rules that out. It would still be helpful if we could have a list of potential co-conspirators that helped him from inside launch control though… ::looks to Jetripar:: Do you keep extensive records of anyone who enters the control room throughout the day?

Jetripar: Everyone who passes through a security check is logged automatically, matching their ID with their biometric data. Launch control itself is also protected by a pass code, individual to each employee.

MacKenzie: Response

Silveira/Breys: Response

K’Wara: I think it’s an avenue worth pursuing, Captain. Perhaps Commander Silveira or myself should accompany the First Secretary to cross-reference that list?

He hesitated. It was against protocol to leave anyone unattended who was not personnel. Thankfully the solution was just outside the door.

Jetripar: I would be happy to take you to our security office. Perhaps there might be further information there as well that could assist in your investigation.

Jetripar went to a nearby comm panel.

Jetripar: =/\= This is Secretary Jetripar. Could you secure your post and come inside, please? =/\=

A moment later, the door opened and admitted the guard who had admitted them to the room.

Jetripar: I will be leaving these Starfleet officers here. Please attend to them in my absence.

The unspoken command being "Make sure they don't try anything funny." But it wouldn't have done to say that out loud. The guard nodded and took up their post by the door, this time on the inside of the room.

MacKenzie: Response

Silveira/Breys: Response

K’Wara: Understood, Captain. ::looks to Jetripar:: Please, lead the way, First Secretary.

Jetripar: Of course. Please, follow me. ::turning to MacKenzie and bowing:: Captain, it was a pleasure making your and your crew's acquaintance. I remain at your service, though we are parting for the moment.

MacKenzie: Response

Silveira/Breys: Response

Jetripar led the officer into the corridor. The security office was only just around the corner, close enough to the bay for a quick response in the event of an emergency. For all the good that it had done.

((OOC: The sim appeared to leave it open to interpretation as to whether K'Wara or Silveira would be accompanying Jetripar. I will tag both characters, but please consider it an "either/or" tag.))

Jetripar: What are your thoughts so far on our conundrum?

Silveira OR K'Wara: Response

The question had been mostly meant to fill the time as they walked, but Jetripar was surprised to hear the well-considered response.

Jetripar: ::genuinely:: You surprise me. To this point, I had suspected the Federation harboured a bit of disdain for the Da'al.

Silveira OR K'Wara: Response 

The security office door opened as they approached and the two guards on duty stood abruptly as they entered. A card game in progress was evident on the table.

Jetripar: I see even the guards know they're guarding nothing now. Ah well. Where would you like to start?

Silveira OR K'Wara: Response

Tags/TBC

TAGs/TBC

~~~

Ensign Jaran Jira

Medical Officer

USS Artemis-A

A240209JJ4