2Lt. Ithri Sh'shelor - "It Bites. Hard."
Amanda Nordstrom
((Marine Intelligence Office, Gator Deck, OEB))
Ithri was used to meeting new people, but only because of experiences since leaving her home world. On Andoria, she mostly interacted with other Andorians. There were visitors from the stars, of course, but not many where she had lived, and while she trained, she had met no one but others of her own kind. After the accident, that changed. She found herself in a place where she was no longer a majority, but a minority. At first, it was uncomfortable, but over time, she realised that differences weren’t necessarily bad, and similarities weren’t always good. Now, greeting someone unfamiliar who remained extremely different from her was simply par for the course.
That wasn’t what took her aback when the woman dressed in red and black entered the office. It wasn’t the calm, cool, collected character that collated over her features. No, it was the announcement that she was the new Director of Intelligence. As usual, Ithri’s expression did not waiver, though the blue eyes darted from one person to another even as her antennae twisted toward each other slightly. What the woman said and what Ithri knew contradicted, and she looked to Promontory for clarification.
Sh’shelor: There are two of you?
Walker: Have I… misspoke? :: she asked with a hesitant tone. ::
The woman’s eyes narrowed as if in suspicion and Ithri had to wonder what she was suspicious of and why. The tone reflected in her following words, however, spoke of a hesitancy that conflicted with the confidence she had exuded earlier.
Promontory: Nothing wrong—you’re just a little early. (beat) And I don’t know that your new role was quite public knowledge just yet. (beat) I think our CO wanted to let you get settled in before we put you to work.
The antennae spoke far more than the Andorian herself did, twisting slightly upon their stems as she regarded the interaction between the two other intelligence officers. Evidently, it was an issue not to be addressed at that moment, for she spurred ahead.
Walker: I apologise for any confusion or inconvenience. ::she said, eager to move past the faux pas and to focus on the matter at hand.:: Perhaps it’s best if we move on and you bring me up to speed on what you were discussing.
Promontory: Of course. ::he moved over so the newcomer could get in towards the screen:: Lieutenant, if you please.
Nodding, Ithri elected to let it drop and focused once more on the information she had brought on the screen. Taking a moment, she explained her findings and pointed out the specific details as she went over them.
Sh’shelor: Each of these people have been connected with various groups that are mercenary or terrorist in nature.
Her fingers traced a line down the list of individuals' names as she spoke.
Sh’shelor: Some of these organisations have been around for some time, but they have been dormant until fairly recently. Others have been newly formed. In addition, there are a number of transactions that repeat themselves.
Walker: What do you make of it? :: she leaned slightly on the right armrest of the chair and absently stroked her chin with her index finger. :: What is the data telling you?
Promontory: There’s a lot more going on here under the surface. There’s definitely—probably—something more to this, but it will take a bit more work. Honestly, I don’t know if we can get to the bottom of this without some field work.
Ithri’s gaze flicked over to observe the outgoing Intelligence director. With the one incoming, she was uncertain how to take the sudden change in leadership, but she would do so, as she had learned to do since leaving Andoria, with a sense of acceptance.
Sh’shelor: It speaks of someone wishing to buy something, or a lot of somethings, without being noticed. What that is, we don’t know, but considering who is involved, it is suspicious.
Walker: Response.
Promontory: We’ve looped in the Intel staff on board but haven’t shared it widely with the other intel officers in the flotilla.
Sh’shelor: It is only recently noticed.
Ithri inclined her head as she spoke, then shifted her gaze to the woman whom they were now briefing over the findings. This was not something they had been working on for very long, but Ithri had only noticed mainly as she made the effort to get a better sense of the quadrant herself.
Walker: Response.
Promontory: There’s one each on the Vulcana Regar, the Phoebe, and the Joseph M'Benga, they’re all here in system, I’m sure you know. (beat) And we’ve been holding weekly holo-meetings with the rest.
Sh’shelor: This information is new. Perhaps others have noticed it and we can inquire at the meeting.
Noting the sidelong glance Promontory gave Walker, Ithri wondered, exactly, what was happening. She would ask the man directly, but only once they were finished with what she had to show them.
Promontory/Walker: Response
Sh’shelor: It is not enough to act upon. We must gather more information, but…
She trailed off, her antennae shifting as her thoughts ran rampant.
Promontory/Walker: Response
Perhaps she was wrong and these were nothing, but Ithri had a strong feeling that was not the case. As Promontory had explained, something rippled beneath the surface, and they needed to be ready when it attacked.
Sh’shelor: It is like a Vok.
Promontory/Walker: Response
Once again she paused, and canted her head, picking out the proper words that would describe what she was trying to get acoss.
Sh’shelor: On Andoria, they are large sea creatures with mighty jaws, very dangerous. Apex predators, I think, is the term. They will eat you.
Promontory/Walker: Response
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2Lt Ithri Sh'shelor Marine Intelligence Officer USS 'Oumuamua M239008AD0
