LtCmdr. Talos Dakora - It's Not A Lie, It's Omitting The Truth
Travis
(( Intelligence Suite - Deck 8, USS Artemis-A ))
Talos stood near the large holotable located at the center of the Intel Suite as one of the newer analysts ran through their preliminary report on the Suliban incident.
In some ways, being here, back in the Intel Suite felt like a return to form. Like putting on an old, well worn pair of shoes that felt just right. The Intelligence Officer instincts never really went away.
Then, why– he wondered– did he feel a nagging sense of distraction when he finished his work at the end of the day? He could try and deny it, but deep down, he’d gotten used to that red uniform and all of the responsibilities and drama that came with it.
Genkos had filled in as XO while he'd been away on a temporary assignment and in an effort not to complicate the end of an already complicated mission, he would stay in place until it was all over.
Unless, of course, the Captain decided she liked the wiry Doctor in the spot better and wanted to keep him on permanently. Then he'd be boned.
Strangely, he could almost feel a MacKenzie-ian level of disapproval directed right at him, like she was right there.
Sadar: C-Commander Dakora?
He snapped out of his internal spiraling— which had completely prevented him from digesting any of the poor analyst's efforts– and turned to find the apparent source of the great disapproval.
Dakora: Last time I checked, yeah. That's me. ::He shot her a wry grin.:: What can I do for you, Doctor?
Other than their brief encounter on the Bird of Prey, he hadn't seen the Mizarian Doctor since that rather awkward check-up Samantha had needed. Which was maybe the source of heress-than-cordial feelings.
Samantha. Thinking about her made his heart ache in a weird way that was sort of new and strange to him. He guessed that was what genuinely caring about someone felt like.
Sadar: Y-Yes, hello Sir. I, uhh... I-I’m here regarding my logs on the Genesis Planet? My understanding is that there’s... ::nervous glance around:: Some, uhh... ‘Doctoring’ that needs to be discussed?
He nodded with a practiced nonchalance, looking around at the several intelligence personnel working at terminals that were arranged radially around the central holotable. None of them looked up from their work, but their conspicuous effort to remain inconspicuous was conspicuously apparent to Talos. The details around the conclusion of the mission and what, exactly, had been found on the planet was tightly compartmentalized and guarded information. So, naturally, everyone was curious as all four hells about it.
Dakora: Right. I think I know what you mean. ::He gestured to one of the anterooms that ringed the room.:: Let's take this into conference room 01…
Moments later, the two of them were alone and the door had slid shut behind them. He motioned to a chair and parked himself opposite it on the other side of the table.
Dakora: Sorry, not everyone out there is cleared to hear about this specifically… uh, issue. ::He waved a hand dismissively.:: Anyway, what specifically are you concerned about?
Sadar: Response
He listened, trying to see the issue from her point of view. Talos had the benefit of counter-intelligence training and knee that misleading and misdirection tended to come easier to him then most people would probably be comfortable with.
Dakora: I feel you. ::He folded his hands and placed them on the table.:: I think it's important to understand the difference between a false report and, say– a report that isn't entirely complete.
Sadar: Response
He cocked his head, considering how to respond.
Dakora: The fundamentals of the report are true and correct. The Captain, Commodore and XO all agree that the no fly zone should be reinstated due to the unstable and unknown effects of its creation with the Genesis Device.
Talos had hardly believed what he'd heard, when he'd been told what– or rather, whom– the seemingly sentient plants down there actually were.
Dakora: The fact is, that there is a new species down there which is pre-warp, and deserving of the chance to flourish on it's own. That won't happen if the word gets out the reality of things. The only way to make that happen is to be selective with what makes it into our reports and logs.
Sadar: Response
TAG/TBC
LtCmdr. Talos Dakora
Intel Officer
USS Artemis-A
O238811CD0