MSNPC Themem Zilo - I will be waiting

[Ryden Kel]

((Secretary of Commerce Office - Capricalia))

The comm chirped, slicing through Zilo’s already frayed concentration.
Reports... half-finished, half-useless... lay scattered across his
desk, all circling the same truth: no one in the Federation had given
him what he needed. Not T’Varek with his smooth assurances. Not the
Trade Commission. Not the endless parade of officials who promised
action and delivered nothing.

When Foster’s voice filtered through the speaker, Zilo felt the
familiar flare of irritation tighten in his chest.

Foster: =/\= Councilor Zilo? This is Commander Foster, checking in. =/\=

Zilo straightened, jaw setting. At least the Andorian had not turned
out to be another ghost in the system. Still, the timing felt too
convenient. Calls from Starfleet seldom brought good news.

Zilo: =/\= Commander Foster. I assume this is not a courtesy call. =/\=

He let the words land cool and flat. Foster always sounded slightly
amused by his bluntness. Zilo never understood why. There was nothing
amusing about failure, especially now.

Foster: =/\= You wanted updates as we had them and I figured that it
would be impolite to barge in without checking in. =/\=

Zilo’s fingers curled against the desk. He had heard similar language
from T’Varek before the man’s promises dissolved into months of
silence. Respectful phrases. Diplomatic niceties. All prelude to
disappointment.

Zilo: =/\= If you have updates, Commander, then give them. I am listening. =/\=

There was a pause, brief but telling. Foster was choosing his words.
Planning something. Or protecting something. Zilo leaned back, eyes
narrowing.

Foster: =/\= If we could speak in private, I do have some updates for you. =/\=

Private. That word sharpened Zilo’s pulse. Every request for privacy
in the past year had been the beginning of another failure to report,
another explanation for inaction, another reason T’Varek could not
provide what he promised.

Zilo: =/\= Very well. I will make myself available. Please, come to my
office. I will be waiting. =/\=

His tone left no room for compromise. If Starfleet had answers, he
would hear them directly. And if they did not… then the Narendra’s
presence on Capricalia would not shield them from the consequences.

Zilo closed the channel and exhaled slowly, steadying the tension that
coiled in his chest. Whatever Foster brought him, it would push this
crisis forward. One way or another.

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MSNPC Themem Zilo
Commerce Secretary, Capricalia

as simmed by

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Lieutenant JG Ryden Tarus Kel
Medical Officer
StarBase 118 Ops
O240109RK1