Ensign Taggart - Unplanned Meetings
Iain Turnbull
((Above New Bajor))
The USS Meili had dropped into orbit over New Bajor almost thirty-six hours prior to the arrival of the brand new Sagan-class, USS Octavia E. Butler. Ninety-six minutes after arrival, the Z'zalathii Ambassador aboard had been transferred to a waiting cruiser that promptly departed the system.
Next up had been a Close Protection debrief with the Meili's CO, Commander Kirk and then a much needed shower before hitting his bunk.
He'd awoken to a text-only message on his PADD from a Lieutenant-Commander Sherlock requesting his presence at a meeting aboard the USS Butler. Pulling on a fresh uniform with it's unusal combination of a Marines green undershirt, the Fleet insignia of an Ensign and the purple piping of the Diplomatic Corps he pulled in and tied his camo bandana. Pinning on his commbadge he grabbed a coffee from the replicator in his kitchen area before making for the transporter room.
((Conference Room, Deck 5, USS Octavia E Butler))
Stepping off the transporter pad Taggart nodded to the crewman operator as he exited the room. The corridor was awash with various officers and crew going about their daily duties. Having no idea where he was going, a quick enquiry at a wall panel provided him with a rolling line of soft indication lights along the corridor wall.
And that is how he came to be in the conference room of Starfleet's newest vessel with a one Lieutenant in gold and one in red.
Nilsen: Martinson? Taggart? I’m Lt Nilsen, it looks like Sherlock has put us all together?
Taggart crossed his arms lightly, glancing between the two officers before him.
Taggart: Seems that way, Lieutenant. What's the script?
Martinson: Response
Nilsen: Please call me Lhando, She said something about public speaking and I think I know exactly what she means.
Martinson: Response
Once again Taggart glanced between the other two officers, wondering exactly what he'd been brought in for. Public speaking? Was he there to guard somebody at an event? And if so, who?
Taggart: I'm completely in the dark here.
Nilsen: So when we beamed down the Kings Path mine, I opened my mouth and then we got captured as slaves.
Nilsen gave a little laugh, and Taggarts jaw tightened.
Mines containing slaves were a trigger, especially after four of his friends had been taken to one by the Orion Syndicate. Two of them – Marines Selkirk and Lockwood – had been killed there, and one had suffered mental trauma that had taken over a year to begin to address. Word had it that friend – Paradi – was now stationed right here aboard the Butler. The last of those four friends – Lt.Commander Maxwell – had been killed on duty since then.
Taggart: How did you get out? Rescue, or escape?
Martinson: Response
Nilsen: I mean there’s a little more to it than that ::laughs:: As it turns out they had no intention of listening to us. It was their plan all along to try and take us.
Taggart: So it was bait? To get their hands on Starfleet personnel.
Nilsen/Martinson: Response
Pulling one of the chairs back from the large central table, Taggart parked himself in it and got comfy. He gave several short nods as he listened.
Taggart: Alright. I'm in.....
Nilsen/Martinson: Response
Tags/TBC
--
Ensign Simeon Taggart.
Close Protection Officer.
Starfleet Diplomatic Corps Security.
Simmed by;
1st Lieutenant Arturo Maxwell.
Marine Officer, 4/73 Marines.
USS Octavia E Butler: NCC-82850.
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