Lt. JG T’Fearne - For Want of a Fortune Cookie [Part 1]
Teayl Thorn
((OOC: Characters' opinions expressed in this sim are not that of the writer, I love all your characters! No offence meant, just leaning into some interpersonal drama a bit here as I’m not really sure what else to do with the scene, it’s a bit vague where our team can go with this. Also, Rameses, Lucas…don’t you sass me!😉))
((Stellar Cartography, Deck 10, USS Ronin))
T’Fearne’s hands were already white-knuckled on the edge of the console when she finally said what she had realised out loud.
T’Fearne: I don’t want to alarm anyone or falsely raise hopes, but I think we need to make a subspace call…now…to the Kurosawa.
She didn’t realise how hard she was gripping the console until the metal flexed slightly under her fingers. She forced herself to let go and looked around at the faces turned toward her. The reactions weren’t what she’d expected.
Solana: Why?
Tilting her head slightly to the side, T’Fearne looked at the Orion in genuine puzzlement.
T’Fearne: What do you mean, Why, Chief? Because they may yet be alive, in the now. If they are, then we might be able to change their fate. ::pointing at the core:: The readings say this device is out of temporal sync with us.
Esot: That's a rather bold assumption, Lieutenant. I am not entirely convinced by your argument.
Solana: I’m inclined to agree with our resident dour Ensign. I really don’t want to have those two damned TA agents back on board again. Took weeks for me to stop terrifying crewmen in turbolifts by drawing my knives every time the doors opened.
Both slanted brows rose in mild surprise.
The Vulcazoid could see why the Cardassian crewman might be sceptical, having not just lost a Captain and a Commander. The stakes were much higher for the rest of them, which was why Solana’s odd attitude switch surprised her. The reference to the TA agents sent a chill up her spine at the memory of a near-drowning and then a near-burning at the stake after slipping backwards in time to B’Hala, but she’d happily face down an army of TA agents to explain her actions logically if it meant confirming her crew was safe.
T’Fearne exhaled slowly. Reaching a hand up to brush over her reassuringly smooth nose.
oO No nose ridges! But what are you talking about, Jenta? What are you both imagining I’m suggesting? Oo
She tried again to convey the course of action that would provide them with the critical information she believed they needed to begin moving forward.
T’Fearne: If the interference is blocking a subspace call, I recommend retreating to a safe distance from the anomaly and at least trying to contact the Kurosawa.
The small mouth noise the ensign made as she smuggly settled back into a chair, hands primly folded in her lap. The sound grated on the Vulcazoids' sensitive ears, and she gritted her teeth.
Esot: I feel the need to mention the possibility of violating the Temporal Prime Directive with this particular communication. We have no proof that isn't our Kurosawa - mainly supposition, though it is, admittedly, based on the evidence we have.
Solana: It’s a good point, Ensign. There’s also that headache inducing possibility that us calling the Kurosawa could be what caused the temporal nonsense to begin.
T’Fearne straightened, shoulders squaring—not in anger, but in resolve and maybe mild annoyance.
T'Fearne: Then let me be more precise about what I am proposing. ::turning to face them, voice level:: I suggest we send an innocuous request for a status update, not a warning about possible temporal travel in their future! I’m a security officer, not a fortune cookie! It doesn’t even have to be a call, it can just be a message, a passive status query. ::folding her hands behind her back:: The objective is twofold. First—to establish that reports of our Niac and Raga’s death have been exaggerated. Second—if they are alive, to share that confirmation with this crew, who are currently doing their jobs while carrying grief and uncertainty like extra weight and distraction. I am talking about our Captain and Commander. The ones who share our position in the timeline—not some possible future versions or hypothetical variants.
Her dark gaze shifted to Esot—as firm and direct as she could manage.
T’Fearne: I am not suggesting we violate the Temporal Prime Directive, ensign. I am suggesting we verify a fact before we let an assumption continue to wound this ship. And I look forward to your sharing your well thought out… suggestions in future, ensign.
Then, her tone gentler, but no less firm, to Solana.
T’Fearne: Our duty is the crew’s safety. The Counsellor’s concern is their mental health, and at times that strongly aligns with our purpose. If our commanding officers are alive, that information is within my purview, as it affects Ronin’s security. I’m trying to confirm the possibility of providing the crew with relief so they can focus on their tasks.
She shook her head for a moment and turned back to her console.
T'Fearne: I hope that's clear, Chief? Ensign Esot? Do you have anything else to add?
She could understand the caution from someone still finding their footing aboard the Ronin—but not from Solana, whom she had respected and looked to as a mentor of sorts since her first days on the ship. That disappointment cut deeper than the disagreement itself. Jenta was clearly under immense strain, but this was no place for emotion to override reason.
Esot: I would suggest we should at least discuss it with Captain Kel before any hasty action. I don't believe any of us would be able to direct the Ronin's location, in any case.
Jenta, still scanning the black box, didn’t look up.
Solana: Correct. Acting Captain Kel would be the one to make the call. Or Acting XO Tucker.
T’Fearne nodded once.
She turned back to her console and transmitted her report along with the precautions to take to Chief Tucker, as it appeared that the Acting Captain Kel and several crew, including Kessler, had left the Ronin in a shuttle.
T'Fearne: ::dry tone:: Do what you want, crewmen. I’ve forwarded my recommendation and the associated risk analysis to Commander Tucker, along with your voiced concerns. Command will decide. Until then, we proceed with gathering the evidence we have in front of us.
Esot: In the meantime, I am transmitting our findings to the Bridge, as well as access to the simulation we have been building. That may allow them to find the Shinano more quickly - I believe we have pinpointed the exact spot where it disappeared.
Solana: These readings are…odd. They’re not matching up the way they should.
Evinrude: =/\= Evinrude to...science. ::His voice grew a little impatient, but not angrily so.:: To...anyone in Stellar Cartography!
Tess’s comm, his voice in the midst of the mission drew all her attention, her head snapped up.
Solana: =/\= Go ahead, LT. We’re listening, so take a breath. =/\=
Evinrude: =/\= ::At their response, he slowed his breathing, and smoothed his tone.:: Not to rush you, but have you cracked into the flight recorder yet? We may have good news.
The Chief and Major’s voice came through in the background over the comm slightly.
Tucker: Is it me, or is that a coaxial warp drive? I’ve read about them but never seen one before. This could explain a few things.
Singh: I am not familiar with that style of engine Commander but I agree. Whatever that is...::she gestured towards the core fragments::...was not aboard our Kurosawa when it left the ship a few weeks ago.
Nemes: Response
Solana: =/\= Not yet, we’ve been preoccupied with other observations and these scans aren’t matching up. What’s the good news? =/\=
T'Fearne: =/\= We have readings that suggest the computer core and the black box originate from some time in the future, so our Niac and Raga might be currently alive. Go ahead, Lieutenant, what is your good news? =/\=
Her ears pricked for his findings, for more of the sound of his voice.
Evinrude: =/\= Right, so even though some version of the Ronin has lost their commanding officers, ours could still be out there. Let us know when you unravel the version of the recorder that found us...I hope it helps us find our missing crew. Evinrude out. =/\=
T’Fearne nodded in agreement, though the comm line was closed and Tess wasn’t there to see her relief that this Kurosawa wasn't necessarily even from their timeline.
[No Tags except for possible =/\= Nemes =/\= / TBC in part 2]
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Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14