Lieutenant Jack Kessler - Let's Talk Zet

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((Security Department Conference Room, Deck 7, U.S.S. Octavia E. Butler))

 

 

Following Jack’s brief meeting with the Butler’s first and second officers Jack was now on his way to meet with Commander Walker, the ships Intelligence officer. A position that Promontory had recently filled prior to Jack’s disappearance and subsequently his promotion to first officer. Jack wondered if maybe allowing himself to stay in Tactical was the right choice or if his ability to promote to command was in another department entirely.

 

The thought was fleeting as he rounded the corner on deck seven and made his way into the Security department’s primary center of operations. As he entered the security office he noted a reception desk just a couple of meters inside the main door, an office of some type to his left and a set of three doors about five to nine meters behind the reception desk.

 

Stepping up the reception desk Jack smiled at the officer and announced himself.

 

Kessler: Jack Kessler, I have a meeting with Commander Walker.

Security: (looking over a display in front of him) Yes sir. Please follow me.

 

The Security officer stood from his desk and led Jack back to a door at the rear of the room and to his left. Entering the door into a corridor Jack followed the officer past a set of offices, through a second entryway and turned right into another corridor. Th corridor curved back around and Jack got the feeling that were walking in a circle but he could not be totally sure. As the corridor ended to a slight left turn the security officer stopped outside a door labeled “Briefing/Conference Room” and gestured to the door. Then without a word walked back in the direction from which he came. Jack immediately reach up and tapped the door chimes.

 

Walker: Enter.

 

The doors parted and Jack entered the conference room, stepping over the table the Commander was seated at.

 

Walker: Lieutenant Kessler, :: she said matter-of-factly. :: I’m Commander Walker, the new Director of Intelligence. Take a seat, please.

 

Jack nodded at the invite and took a seat across from the Intelligence officer. Jack was not really sure what to expect from the new IO but she clearly had a routine set in place. As he seated himself she deliberately took a long drink of what appeared to be water. An indication she was reading herself for a lengthy conversation.

 

Kessler: Thank you Commander.

 

Walker: I have been brought up to speed on recent events. :: she said, referencing his recent incarceration as delicately as possible. :: I also understand that you are looking to resume your duties aboard the Butler.

 

Kessler: (smiling) I need something to do and civilian life is not cut out for me. (beat, putting a more serious look on his face) It seemed the most logical use of my time, to get back to duty.

 

Walker: I am sure that you are aware that my role is pre-empt threats to Starfleet and Federation operational security in the region. :: beat :: To that end, Mr. Kessler, I need to ask you about your time as a prisoner of the Zet. After all, we know relatively little about them.

 

The Zet. Thanks to Jack’s assignment, they knew far more about the Zet now than they had and more information was being gathered as they spoke.

 

Kessler: I assumed that was a topic here.

 

Walker: Perhaps you should start from the very beginning. What happened after you went back into Zet prison?

 

What had happened indeed? Things had not gone as planned and the plans were much more elaborate than even this Intelligence Officer knew.

 

Kessler: Once I had the team separated from the Zet, I used a photon grenade to take out the first wave of incoming soldiers. The concussion in the corridor was more than I anticipated and I was overcome by the shockwave. I awoke in a medical bay and was treated for injuries and then released to one of the facilities Administrator’s who acted as a personal advocate to me.

 

Walker: response

 

Jack shook his head in a negative response and leaned in on the table clasping both hands together.

 

Kessler: Further from it. The Zet are not about torture and pain to get what they want. They feed on wealth and have learned that prisoners can bring them more wealth when treated like (beat, searching for the right word) royalty.

 

Walker: response

 

Kessler: I was offered everything I wanted except the location of my parents. In return they wanted information on Starfleet, ship movements, security procedures and tactical analysis. (leaning back) They knew I wanted my parents location above all else and used that to try and get the information that they wanted. (beat) I did not play their game, but devised my own instead. To be used against them of course.

 

Walker: response

 

 

TBC/TAGS

 

Lieutenant Jack Kessler

Non-Active Duty

USS Octavia E. Butler

T239901JK1