Ensign T’Fearne: Citizen X
Teayl Thorn
((Security Offices - Security Complex - Deck 11 - USS Ronin))
Security Officer T’Fearne stood at a work console, bathed in the cool, ambient glow of status lights and display readouts. The hum of security systems and the distant vibration of the warp core blended into a soft chorus of productivity, drowning out her surroundings as she fell into a state of hyper-focus. Her long, precise fingers moved rapidly across the interface, toggling between three tasks: compiling her report on PS4 Colony findings, reviewing security notifications, and attempting to reschedule her CQC recertification.
Her concentration divided smoothly into a fourth vector as a discreet alert blinked in at the corner of the console. Without hesitation, her fingers danced over the controls, summoning the incoming message.
It was addressed to her from Starfleet Academy Administration.
“Subject: Request for Documentation – Citizenship Verification [Vulcan]”
Her hands stopped moving. The calm rhythm of her breath hitched. T’Fearne read the message twice, then a third time, each pass deepening the furrow between her slanted brows.
oO My Vulcan citizenship under review? Oo
Her mind flicked through the worst-case scenario, tasks mentally held in focus, crashing down around her pointed ears. Had something been filed incorrectly? A discrepancy in the planetary codes? Was her job in jeopardy? Her commission?
Her shift was nearly over. She queued a secure subspace request to her family residence on Betazed, flagging it as urgent. After a beat of hesitation, she composed a short message on her PADD with practised precision, though her fingers moved a little stiffly. The reply came quickly.
She exhaled once, deeply, then turned and headed toward the far side of the complex, to a small office she’d not had reason to frequent before.
((JAG Office - Security Complex - Deck 11 - USS Ronin))
Her boots echoed softly as she strode across the complex, halting at the threshold of a modest office tucked behind an armoured bulkhead.
T’Fearne rapped her knuckles crisply against the open door frame.
A red-jacketed officer inside glanced up from a holographic display and towers of legal PADDs. His office seemed cramped and impersonal to her initial observation, though an exception to that was the rare sight of shelves of books, real ones, not holographic, with actual printed materials, lining the back wall, filled with texts on Federation law, ethics, and interstellar treaties. A faint scent of espresso and old paper and ink hung in the air.
T’Fearne: Lieutenant Morrow? Ensign T’Fearne. I sent a message requesting a meeting.
Morrow: Response
T’Fearne: That’s right, sir. Thank you for taking the time. I’m not sure if citizenship law falls under your purview, but I think I need to talk to someone about this…
Morrow: Response
She stepped inside, nodding formally before taking the seat. It felt slightly too small, or maybe that was just the gravity of the situation settling on her shoulders.
T’Fearne: It’s... personal. :: warning :: But it has professional implications. If I can’t resolve it quickly, it could pose a liability to the ship.
She hesitated, opened her mouth to speak, then paused again. Shook her head. Tried once more.
Morrow: Response
She just handed the PADD across the desk into the lieutenant's grasp.
T’Fearne: I’ve received an official communication from Academy Administration and Records. Apparently, Starfleet Intelligence has also been looped in on the correspondence. They’re saying there’s an issue with my citizenship, specifically, that my status as a citizen of Vulcan is under question.
She watched Morrow’s expression carefully as he scanned the message. His bright blue eyes seemed intent, so she went on.
T’Fearne: I applied for admission to the Academy under a Vulcan-sponsored scholarship program. Now they’re claiming my documentation is incorrect, and I may have been ineligible from the start.
She looked away for a second, then added firmly.
T’Fearne: I was born on Vulcan! Or at least, that’s what I’ve always believed. My parents left Vulcan when I was very young, too young to remember. Both my parents are alive on Betazed, where we...relocated and can confirm my origins and lineage.
Morrow: Response
Gesturing at her own pointed ears with a slightly incredulous smirk.
T’Fearne: You’d think the ears would be a strong indication. :: smile fading :: If I can’t prove I’m a legitimate Vulcan citizen through documentation, the Academy might nullify my scholarship retroactively, and that puts my commission at risk of becoming invalid. If that happens... from what I understand or remember from my LAW101 class, I would be at risk of a dismissal, maybe even a formal inquiry. It could reflect on the ship, the crew, and anyone who signed off on my assignments.
Morrow: Response
[Tag, You’re It! / TBC]
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Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14