A Wolf in sheep's clothing Pt 22

Posted on Tue Aug 27th, 2024 @ 9:08pm by Commodore Finchley Kerr & Captain Kevin, Lord Kilbane of Sanquhar & Lieutenant Commander Shr'Nesh Karadis & Lieutenant Commander Wyatt Steele & Lieutenant Evelyn Steele

Mission: The missions never over.
Location: USS Thall, Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: Current.

Inside the Ready Room, Kilbane waited on Finchley finishing reading a priority one message that had come through to him. Finally, Finchley raised his head and looked him, "The wankers, they've only gone and done it, even when I told them no, four times!"

"Who's finally gone and done what?" Kilbane asked.

"SFI...they've promoted me, can you believe it!!!" Finchley said, throwing his hands in the air, "I've told them no four times, I don't want it, but they've decided to overrule me and forced it through."

"Isn't that a good thing, getting a promotion?" Kilbane said questioningly.

"It means more responsibility, more desk work, more..." Finchley moaned.

"Which you can then delegate" Kilbane added, thinking he was being helpful.

"That's true" Finchley answered thoughtfully.

"Well, there you go then" Kilbane smiled.

"Congratulations Commander, you're hereby field promoted to the rank of Captain, with all the rights and privileges blah blah blah" Finchley said.

"Now wait a minute Bird, I never asked for..." Kilbane then began to say, his smile now turning to a frown.

"To late, no backing out now" Finchley smiled, "your first task is to take all the extra bollocks I'll now get and deal with it."

"You're a cun..." Kilbane started to reply, pointing at Finchley.

"Now, now Captain, not in front of the crew" Finchley said, pointing at Wyatt.

A now seething Kilbane turned to Wyatt and said "Commander Steele, please give Commodore Kerr our report on what's happened so far since 'we' took the prisoners over to Base One and handed them over."

"Certainly sir." Wyatt replied politely. He had watched the banter between Kerr and Kilbane. *Worse than kids* he thought but pushed that thought aside to give Kerr the report. "Sir, Commander er Captain Kilbane and I delivered the prisoners to Starbase One security where Captain Dixon of base security took possession of the prisoners. and securely retrained them in their cells.
Once done, Captain Kilbane met an old contact who gave the captain information on Admiral Brown. Said information is as follows. Admiral Brown, traveling with a Intelligence detail has gone into Cardassian space to meet with a Senior Cardassian Officer named Gul Mair. That concludes the report sir." Wyatt finished.

"Thank you Commander" Finchley said to Wyatt.

"Brown's also sending a special investigator to question T'Klar and Jara" Kilbane said, "I think we should have a word with him before that, see if we can get any information out of him as to why the Admiral's doing that and also press him on any information he knows about why he's meeting this Gul Mair. There's also the possibility that CIB are involved, I have my thoughts on that but I want to hear what this investigator says first before I believe the worst."

"I'll trust your judgement on that" Finchley replied to Kilbane.

Turning to Wyatt he said, "Commander, see if you can find out any information on this special investigator and what, if any, ties he has to Admiral Brown. A special investigator involvement normally means there's a conflict of interest, generally to do with the recipient of the questioning. We know Brown's up to his neck in it with T'Klar and Jara, but I think there's more to their story than their letting on. Also, see if the archives have anything on this...Gul Mair, he may have been a lesser rank but I'm willing to bet he served in the Dominion War and if he did, there's a chance he'll be more than willing to offer Brown anything for information on SFI."

"Yes sir. I'll get right to work on it. If there is anything to find, I'll find it." Wyatt replied. "Oh, much time do I have to find and put the information into a compressive report sir?"

“Well it’s a couple of hours till the special investigator gets here, so that’s the time scale” Finchley replied.

"Understood sir. I'll get started digging as soon as this meeting is over or you are done with me." Wyatt stated diplomatically.

"Hang fire for a second Commander" Finchley said to Wyatt.

Wyatt stopped moving toward the door and turned to face Captain Kerr, "Yes sir?" He inquired.

Looking at Kilbane he said, "Who's this old contact who gave you the information on Brown?"

"Karok" Kilbane answered.

"Karok!, that old goat's still alive, I thought the Orion Syndicate were looking for him?" Finchley asked.

"I kinda faked his death..." Kilbane said quietly.

"You...faked his death" Finchley answered, sounding a little too surprised.

"I can do this job you know!" Kilbane said huffily.

"And you covered your tracks?" Finchley asked.

"Yes...I covered my tracks" Kilbane replied.

"Wonders will never cease" Finchley answered, trying not laugh.

"Well, Karok's mostly reliable with his information, so we should look into it" Finchley said, then looking at Wyatt he asked, "What was your impression of Karok and the information he gave you both?"

Wyatt looked between Kerr and Kilbane. "Well sir, from his appearance, entirely seedy but I know not to judge a book by its cover. As far as the information he supplied to Commander Kilbane and myself it sounds entirely credible as well as factual. In addition, as Commander Kilbane did Karok a huge favor. Karok is in debt to the Commander and won't risk giving any false information as he would be worried that the reports of his death were greatly exaggerated." Wyatt stated quietly..

"Indeed" Finchley replied, "Well, carry on Commander, bring your report in a couple of hours."

"Aye sir." Wyatt said smartly as he turned on his heel and exited the ready room.

As the doors to the Ready Room closed, Finchley looked at Kilbane and said, "These new ranks are going to take some time to get used to."

"Mhhhhhhmmmm..." Kilbane mumbled, "but at least you won't have to wade through all the new crap that's coming with yours."

Finchley smiled, "That's true, and I'm very happy about that."

"Yes, I'll bet you are..." Kilbane said.

[Two hours later]

Wyatt stood in front of Kerr and Kilbane. "My report is as follows sir. The special investigator is an officer named Commander John Brent. He is a tough, thorough investigator who is only called in on the most sensitive of cases. He has been an investigator for the past eleven years, moving steadily up the ranks. He is in line for a promotion to Captain.. He is married and is completely faithful to his wife and she is to him. Admiral Brown uses him quite regularly on sensitive intel cases. He can't be bought or bribed. In regard to Gul Mair, he did serve during the war he was a lieutenant commander and then commander who over saw Cardassian forces on the outer worlds." Wyatt paused before he said his next. "Like the one we just left. He is ruthless but his loyalties shift to whomever has the best hand. Which may explain why Admiral Brown is rumored to be meeting with him. Oh, in
reference to T'Klar. Admiral Brown had originally sought to do the "interview" but decided to go into Cardassian space instead." Wyatt finished.

"Thank you Commander, that's quite the comprehensive report" Finchley replied, "Now, if the Commander can't be bought or bribed, we'll use the next best thing...block his promotion to Captain. I know, it's not the best thing in the world, but, it'll get him thinking 'why'?"

"We could make it look like Brown's the one blocking it" Kilbane offered.

"Yes, we could do that" Finchley said, looking at Kilbane, "It may throw the Commander off enough that he could then open up to us any information he has on Brown's incursion into Cardassian space to go see this Gul Mair."

Turning back to Wyatt he said "Ok, that's the beginning of our plan. Let's get a block on Commander Brent getting his promotion, have it come from Admiral Brown's office, it'll mean you hacking their security, think you're up for it Commander?"

Wyatt grinned like the Cheshire cat. "More than up to it sir and ready to begin when you say so." Wyatt answered confidently.

"Right, you better get started now then" Finchley replied, "Brown's security will be tough to get around, the sooner you manage that the sooner we can put the first part of the plan into action."

"Aye sir." Wyatt replied crisply. "I'll get started straight away. With that he spun on his heel and exited the room leaving Kerr and Kilbane alone.

Finchley watched him go, then turned to Kilbane. "Listen to me closely and listen well. I'm about to call Lieutenant Steele and Lieutenant Karadis in here. Whatever I say to them, whatever I discuss, you keep your fucking trap shut. If you utter one word, hand sign anything or interfere in any way, hell mend you, have you got that...'currently' a living breathing Commander?"

Kilbane had a mouthful come back, but decided it best not to push things to far, "Oh yez Sir boss, Izza really gotta goooooooooood understandin', I be reeeeeeeaaaaaaallll quiet" he replied.

Finchley just looked him up and down then shook his head. Tapping his COMM badge he said "Lieutenants Steele and Karadis, report to the Captains Ready Room immediately."

“On my way Sir” Eve responded as she tapped her comm badge and set off for the bridge.

At her station, Karadis stood up and straightened out her uniform top. It wasn't a customary thing she did. but for some reason it felt right at that moment. She walked over to the Ready Room doors and awaited Eve's arrival so they could enter together.

Eve was as quick as she could be short of transporting to the bridge, arriving at the Ready Room she walked inside standing at attention in front of Finchley’s desk. “Reporting as ordered Cap...err Commodore!” She said noting his new rank.

Karadis was surprised that Eve walked straight passed her without even saying a word or acknowledging she was there. Sighing, it not really being her day, she trudged into the Ready Room and up to the Commodores desk, "Present" was all she said.

Kilbane hid a smile, albeit badly, he had to hand it to Karadis, she was keeping things together. Before all the drama on Sestus One, had the demotion still happened, she'd have ripped Finchley a new one every time they were together, now, she just trundled along, seemingly no longer caring what happened.

Finchley looked at Eve and Karadis, "Brown's special investigator will be arriving soon. By all accounts he's as straight as a dye, can't be bought, can't be bribed...but, we do have an angle to try to unsettle him. He's due a promotion to Captain soon, but we're going to put a stop to that, Commander Steele is, as we speak, hacking into Admiral Brown's computer system and planting a false communication basically stating that he believes it's to soon for the Commander's promotion and it should be postponed. Now, why am I telling you this you may ask? It's simple, you Karadis, will meet and greet Commander Brent then take him to meet T'Klar and Jara. On the way, you'll mention you're sorry to hear his promotion was denied, how did you find out, you're own promotion...fake idea before you ask... was denied as well. The one blocking it was Admiral Brown, he blocked a few and you noticed his was one as well. By that time you'll be at the cell where Lieutenant Steele will be waiting with the prisoners, you'll pass Brent over and leave."

Finchley now looked at Eve, "You, Lieutenant, will greet Commander Brent, dispense pleasantries and small talk. then note that the Commander looks distracted. Hopefully, the Commander will then say why he's distracted, you will then offer your services as a Starfleet Counsellor 'if' he needs to talk. If he doesn't, perhaps you could offer some unassuming sympathy to him and ask a couple of questions not directly about Admiral Brown, but mentioning you know others the Admiral has turned down. Don't overdo it though, generalize your sympathy. You could even ask if he plans to talk directly to the Admiral abour his promotion denial...this could lead to Brent opening up about where the Admiral is and why, you never know."

Finchley looked between them both, "Any questions?"

Karadis put up an index finger.

"Yes?" Finchley asked.

"If it all goes tits up, and Brent falls for none of this, what then....Sir?" she asked.

"No idea" Finchley replied.

Looking at Eve, Finchley asked, "Have you any questions Lieutenant Steele?"

“More or less the same one as Karadis” Eve offered Karadis a smile, she’d been distracted before but not now. “If this guy can’t be bought or bribed what are we supposed to do if our plans fall flat?”

"Then..." Finchley began, having thought between Karadis asking her question and Eve following up on it, "...we may have to rely on you once again reading someone's mind, only this time you'll be doing so with them not having the defenses T'Klar had."

Eve nodded and smiled a wry smile. “That I can do.”

"I'm hoping it doesn't have to come to that" Finchley replied, "let's give our first plan our best shot shall we. Right, we have a little time between now and Commander Brent's arrival, I suggest both of you get your heads together to give a convincing tale to him if there's nothing else?"

Karadis just shrugged her shoulders, 'no'.

“Nothing else Sir” Eve shook her head, then looked to Karadis. “Shall we?”

Karadis looked at the Captain, who in turn nodded that they were free to go.

Once outside, Karadis breathed a sigh of relief, and as she walked towards the turbolift she said, "Well, that went better than I thought it would."

“Yeah me too” Eve offered a smile. “Karadis I’m sorry for getting you into trouble, in the end the truth hasn’t gotten me anywhere, if anything it’s just worked to turn my uncle against me. As far as he’s concerned he’s not family anymore.” She sighed. “Anyway, we have a job to do so let’s get it done.”

"There has to be a way of getting to Commander Brent other than you reading his mind" Karadis said, "I mean, yes, that's an option, but it also entails you more or less showing him you're doing it plus he'll remember. Isn't there a way we can drug him perhaps?"

“Maybe we should head down to medical and ask? They’re the experts after all.” Eve offered a smile.

Karadis nodded as the turbolift doors opened allowing them both to enter.

[Sickbay]

A few minutes later, they entered Sickbay and Karadis looked at Eve, "I'm not the most diplomatic of people according to Kilbane, perhaps you should talk to someone here and ask them?"

Eve nodded as she looked around setting eyes on their newest member of the medical crew. “That I can do. Are you going to wait or want me to catch up?”

"No, I think it's best you speak to them yourself and then catch me up, I'll wait in my quarters for you" Karadis wanly replied, "I think I need that time to make a decision." She turned round and exited Sickbay, hoping that when Eve came to meet her, she would bring some good news.

Eve made her way across to Hannah offering a warm smile. “Hi, can I pick your brain?”

Hannah offered the ship’s Counsellor a curious look. “Sounds fascinating, pick away.”

Eve learnt against a biobed as she told Hannah the plan, to hopefully dupe Brent into giving the reason why Admiral Brown has gone into Cardassian space, and the fact that she needed to find a way to get Brent to talk.

Hannah nodded as she listened to the explanation pausing for a moment to think. “I might have something that’ll work, I could make false skin finger pads that overlay your finger pads, they’d be coated in a chemical, a kind of truth serum if you will, which, when Brent gets angry would cause a chemical reaction to make him tell you what he knows about Brown's trip. All you’d have to do in order to get the chemical into Brent's system, is shake his hand when you first meet.”

Eve smiled and nodded. “Now that sounds like a plan. How long would it take?”

“Drop in about an hour before his arrival, it’ll give us plenty of time to get the whole thing set up.” Hannah smiled warmly.

Nodding Eve headed for the door. “Perfect, I’ll be here. Thank you Hannah.”


[Karadis' quarters]

Sitting down heavily on her sofa, Karadis let out a long slow breath. She kneaded her eyes into the back of her head with the heels of her hands, she was tired and she was on edge, that never made a good combination. The events of the last few days had caught up with her, but it was those events that now lead to her having to make a decision. Thinking back, she couldn't really blame the Captain for being angry with her on how she'd reacted in Sickbay, plus, Karadis letting things slide on not keeping Finchley fully informed of the whole situation on her tracking Eve. However, his reaction to her was 'way' overboard, even Kilbane had made that clear and he was the champion of over reactions.No, something had to be done, Finchley had to be made to see the error of his ways, one way or another, the Captain would make reparations, even if it meant him paying the ultimate price.

The sound of the chime to her quarters door brought her out of her deep thoughts, "Come" she said.

Walking in Eve offered a big smile. “We have a plan! Hannah says she can cook up a truth serum of sorts. She’ll coat my fingers with a false layer and incorporate the serum. I just have to shake his hand. Then we have to get him mad, and he’ll tell us everything we want to know.”

"That's...good..." Karadis replied, sounding distracted, "Yes...make him mad...that's the answer..."