Lt. Cmdr. Alora DeVeau - "Something Off"

[Amanda Nordstrom]

((Security Center, StarBase 118))


Alora hadn’t expected an interrogation on her schedule when she had
returned from the Terra Prime mission.  Yet, the very next day she had
received the information, and a day after that ,she arrived at the
security center.  As the saying went, there was no rest for the weary -
and Alora found herself very weary at that point.  Despite that, she
knew this request was serious and she could not delegate to someone else.

Raban.  That was his name, and he was a Suliban, a species Alora had
never come face to face with.  Yet now, she would oversee an..interview,
to put it politely along with Aine Sherlock while Willow and Sill-con
questioned him.  She had arrived and taken up position behind and
diagonal to the chief of security and tactical, her gaze focused on the
image of the interview room as Raban himself stepped through the doors,
escorted by security officers.  Without a word, those officers attached
his restraints to the table, a precaution that was well founded.  Each
movement of the man was captured in the smooth table, his reflection a
darker version of the reality.  As she watched, the Suliban’s eyes
shifted upward to the camera, and for a moment, it was as if he could
see right through to them.  Alora’s own eyes flicked over to Aine where
the woman slouched in her chair in a defiant position while she glared
back at the image.


Something was off.  Alora had figured that out from the beginning.  Even
though she’d read the file, something didn’t sit well with her.  In the
reports, there was too little information, and much of it abstract
enough she knew pieces were missing.  So what would this interview
accomplish?  Would those pieces be found, or simply expose more gaps? 
Beyond that, Aine had received a purple heart, but Alora suspected there
was more to the situation than just an injury.  Well of course there
was.  He was involved in the Resolution’s destruction…wasn’t he?


There was no time to ponder over further thoughts. The doors hadn’t even
closed before two more people stepped in and finally the panels slid
shut and the quartet was left in privacy. Immediately, Sherlock
swivelled around and addressed them.


Sherlock: Commander, Ensign, Ensign.

DeVeau: Lieutenant.  Ensigns.

Alora inclined her head, the atmosphere quite solemn.  Displease
coloured Sherlock’s face, and with the history of her experiences, Alora
could understand why, even if she couldn’t understand their depth.

Sill-con/Willow: ?

The chief craned her neck to glance at the screen, almost as if she
wanted to be sure the Suliban hadn’t somehow escaped.  No, he was still
there, and her attention returned to the three newer arrivals.

Sherlock: This is Raban. As you can see, he is a Suliban. He is actually
descended from the Cabal and can change his appearance.

Willow/Sill-con: ?

Sherlock: You two are going to interview him. Find out everything you
can oOif you canOo about his terrorist cell, who may have sent them, and
what their plans were if they had succeeded.

Alora’s eyes flicked back to Sherlock.  She hadn't divulged much
information to them at all, and she couldn’t help but wonder how
effective questioning with so little to go on would be.

DeVeau: I would suggest you act like you know more than you do.

Sill-con/Willow: ?

Sherlock: All I can tell you right now ::beat:: is that he's a terrorist
and may be partially responsible for the loss of a Starfleet vessel. The
rest is classified. Which also means any information you get from him,
will be classified.
Terrorism was the word of the year thus far.  Since the new decade had
rolled in, both major missions had involved terrorists, and now, another
had come calling, so to speak.  At least this one was already in custody
and could not run rampant.

DeVeau: Ask the hard questions.  Hopefully you’ll get some answers.

Willow/Sill-con: ?

Sherlock: Him? What to expect?

That was a very good question, and Alora was not the person to answer
it.  Sherlock turned to stare back at the image of the Suliban who
remained at the table, unable to escape, unable to do anything but wait.

Sherlock: ::turning back to the others:: He's a right c.... ::beat::
controlling person. He'll manipulate and attempt to instill fear in
search of that control. He's dangerous. But even restrained, don't ever
think you're safe. Just assume at any time he could come at you, even if
he can't.

Alora had to admit, they were a good pair.  Sill-con was big and mighty,
and the Suliban’s strength was likely no match for the Brikar’s.  By
contrast, Willow was small, and while not necessarily weak, she was
definitely not on the same level as Sill-con.  Still, Alora imagined she
was quick, and definitely not someone to underestimate.

DeVeau: Get as much information as you can.  The more details the better.

Sherlock/Sill-con/Willow: ?

DeVeau: We’ll be watching from here.  If anything happens, we’ve got
your back.

Not that Raban was in any position to effectively try anything, but
still.  As Aine had said, they had to assume the Suliban could somehow
find a way.

Sherlock/Sill-con/Willow: ?

DeVeau: Good luck.

Sherlock/Sill-con/Willow: ?

As Sill-con and Willow stepped out of that room to head to the other,
Alora eased down into a chair next to the chief.  Her eyes drifted away
from the woman and back to the man on the screen, a frown colouring her
features.

DeVeau: I read the reports.

Sherlock: ?

DeVeau: There’s a lot unsaid.

To put it mildly .

Sherlock: ?



--
Lt. Cmdr. Alora DeVeau
First Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
al...@blar.net
M239008AD0