LtCmdr Tamio K'Wara - Are You On The Guest List?

[LtCmdr Tamio K'Wara]

(( Afalqi Project Launch Control - Meranuge IV ))

Jetripar: Tell me cleanly. Do you see a path to resolution on this?

That was the big question. The Da’al government had made the decision to request the Artemis’ assistance, but that didn’t necessarily mean First Secretary Jetripar himself believed they’d be able to solve the problem, or wanted their help to do so in the first place.

MacKenzie: Well, I think that depends on what you mean by resolution. Do I think it's possible we'll be able to recover the Afalqi? (beat) I think my officers are some of the best in Starfleet.

Which wasn’t an answer, but it was as much of one Jetripar was going to get from the Captain, Tamio was willing to wager. She didn’t seem the type to make empty promises.

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

With nothing to add, the group moved forwards and after Jetripar showed a clearance badge to the security guard posted at the next door which was promptly opened. A big sign above the door identified the room beyond, which was likely the final and actual stop of their tour.

The testing bay.

Jetripar: Please, please. Go on in.

One by one, the group bowed and walked inside, but before Tamio could do so, Vitor hung back just a smidge to lean closer.

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

Tamio looked at Vitor with the most deadpan expression possible as their brain worked through his comment.

oO Well, yes? The primary suspect is the Chief Engineer? That’s about as ‘inside’ as it can get? Oo

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

The inside was magnificent - a massive room filled with levels upon levels of gantries and walkways below a ceiling that curved over the space maybe 300 metres above them. Consoles and displays lined walls and walkway railings in numerous places, evidence that - at peak efficiency - dozens if not hundreds of people could be at work in this room simultaneously. Now, however. It was empty. And not only were there no Afalqi to take its place in the empty center of the room, but there were no people here to lament its absence, except for the team from the Artemis, and Jetripar.

He, meanwhile, seemed mighty pleased with himself for the first time since they’d met him.

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

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.

Silveira: Da’al technology at its best…

Considering Vitor (and the Captain) had the most experience with the Da’al, by far, Tamio was inclined to take his word for it. They looked back at Jetripar.

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

Then, it was time for them to, in the Captain’s words:

MacKenzie: Let's get to work.

The two science-minded women immediately brought out their tricorders and started getting scans of the area, while Vitor and Tamio both lingered near Jetripar.

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

A valid question, considering the Da’al’s history and physiological peculiarities.

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

Jetripar: Response

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

The Da’al engineering team involved with the Afalqi were clearly very thorough, considering they were even working with data regarding side effects to the body from the new prototypes installed into the Ship.

MacKenzie: Partially, but not exclusively. ::gesturing with the hand holding the tricorder:: There seems 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?

 

Jetripar: Response

K'Wara: ::shakes head:: First time outside the system, and it’s like this.

That was certainly something that would be remembered for the history books, but it did warrant the question: why had the thieves stolen the Afalqi now, before it’d even passed a proper warp test? Because a proper test would’ve revealed something they didn’t want revealed? Or because their hands had been forced?

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

Jetripar: Response

The revelations about the Afalqi’s technical capabilities aside, the most severe concern remained. If Chief Engineer Havun and his entire team were on the Afalqi flying it - who had been present in launch control, and allowed them to escape with it, and then concealed it afterwards?

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?

Jetripar/Breys: Response

K’Wara: Like any other day, hm...

Evidently, that wasn’t entirely true. On this particular day, a group of highly trained specialists had chosen to commit treason and steal away a government project. But for now, the reason why was unclear.

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?

Though clearly, that was the majority of the security personnel. No reason to guard an empty room.

Jetripar/Breys: Response

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?

Tamio nodded in agreement, looking around the room. They needed to establish a timeline of what happened during the Afalqi’s escape, and preferably as quickly as possible. Catching up with an experimental spaceship was going to be harder the longer the warptrail had to decay.

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

Jetripar/MacKenzie/Breys: Response

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

Ah, the classic ‘the security personnel single-handedly offends every governmental representative who has thus far been open with information’. Tamio had seen this scenario play out hundreds of times in their career, and it never ceased to make them cringe.

Mostly because a lot of newer security personnel thought sounding like the standoffish cop in a noir holonovel made them seem cool... It never did.

Jetripar/MacKenzie/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/MacKenzie/Breys: Response

K’Wara: Well, that rules that out. oO Provided we’re done with having Changelings running about, obviously. Oo 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?

oO And when they leave... Oo

Jetripar/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?

Doing so would also net them the ubiquitous advantage of getting Jetripar out of the testing bay, and thus have a more free reign for scans.

Jetripar/MacKenzie: Response

Silveira/Breys: Response

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

Jetripar/MacKenzie: Response

Silveira/Breys: Response

TAG/TBC

LtCmdr Tamio K’Wara

Chief of Ops

USS Artemis-A
A240006GS1