Lt. J.G. Nestira Aristren - Orders
Arys
((Chief Counsellor’s Office, Main Medical Facility, Starbase 118))
I don’t understand.
The words were said to no one in particular, spoken into the deafening silence that had spread through Nestira’s office while the Rodulan had read the assignment outlined on the PADD presented to her. The two intel officers who had been selected to deliver the news stood motionless and patiently waiting for the woman to regain her composure.
They knew that only a few weeks prior, Nestira Aristren had left her position as interrogation specialist and returned to the counselling department she had been moved out of more than a decade ago. They knew that, in the context of interrogation, the woman’s telepathic abilities had proven beyond useful even if ethically questionable. And they also knew that she had never before been assigned to an undercover operation before.
But orders were orders, even if they didn’t understand them, or agreed with them.
Aristren: And I am due to leave right away?
One of the black-collared officers who had introduced as Richard Barlowe gave a curt nod, but at the same time allowed his expression to soften.
Barlowe: Unfortunately, yes. We have set up an appointment with a medical specialist for your physical adjustments.
Aristren: I need to look human.
He offered another nod. If someone had asked him, he would have advised against sending Lieutenant Aristren to Miranda VII. Not only would he have chosen someone more experienced, but he would also have chosen someone a lot less likely to be discovered. Making adjustments to the woman’s appearance was easy. Having her DNA scan as human was possible. But the brain structure of her species was so different from that of humans that she would instantly be revealed if someone were to attempt a more thorough medical scan.
Barlowe didn’t like the idea of setting someone up for failure. Then again, he had to admit that a telepath was an excellent tool to quickly gather the intel they needed.
Aristren: I trust you will inform … people.
She didn’t have family here, but she did have a Chief Medical Officer she had to report to, a First Officer who had helped her to move back to Counselling, and a Commanding Officer she shared a passion for tea with.
Barlowe: We will. And you are expected to return to your role here once the matter is finished.
He paused, and lowered his voice. She hadn’t asked for his advice, but he would give it anyway. She was a colleague, after all.
Barlowe: Be smart about it. Make use of your resources. Always remember that gathering information is worthless if you don’t make it out alive.
Nestira nodded slowly and got up from her chair.
Aristren: How long will I be there?
Barlowe: I am unable to tell.
Which meant weeks rather than days, and all three of them knew that. Neither of them could do anything against that, or say anything that made the prospect any more appealing.
Aristren: Then I suppose it makes no sense to postpone further.
She joined the two men by the door which hissed open as the trio stepped through it. Once in the - thankfully empty - corridor, Nestira turned around to face her office.
She hadn’t even had time to decorate it, and for the first time in the ninety years of her life, she wondered if she would ever get to it.
[End Scene]
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Lt. J.G. Nestira Aristren
Counsellor
Starbase 118 Ops
J239809TA4