Apprehension [Back Post]
Posted on Thu Mar 23rd, 2023 @ 1:38pm by Commander Vianola Paxidor & Xavier X-1 & Colonel Galen s'Khev & Lieutenant JG William Verhoeven
Edited on on Thu Mar 23rd, 2023 @ 1:40pm
4,604 words; about a 23 minute read
Mission:
Good Will Tour: Mountain Home [Part Two]
Location: Triton Colony: Civilian Dock
Timeline: MD11: 1900 hours
Jack and Xavier had been in orbit for the better part of seven hours before orbital control allowed them to land. A heavy rainstorm had held position over the city but had cleared enough that they could finally put down.
The ride usually cleared as they broke through the outer atmosphere, but it was a bumpy ride almost all the way to the ground. It spoke to the retreating storm.
Retro rockets fired, thrusters died down and the Kaplan class ship shuddered as she made contact with the ground. Jack powered down the engines and signaled the dock master the ship was ready for maintenance.
“Hey, Xavier! Time to go!” he shouted.
"I am not hearing impaired," Xavier replied in a quiet tone. "There is no need to yell. I am coming."
Jack hauled his heavy duffel bag over his shoulder and trekked down the metal stairs and set foot at home. There was still a rather heavy rain falling.
The android stepped out and was quickly soaked by the torrent of water. It was not an unpleasant sensation, and it triggered some long unprocessed memory that he couldn't quite pull up.
"I could carry that for you," he offered, "you know, if you're too feeble, given your age."
“Yeah, yeah,” Jack grumbled as the rain pelted him.
"You know," Xavier said, "I think something happened to me in a storm. I don't think it was rain, though. Something different, I just don't remember what."
Galen stood with an umbrella on the docks as he waited for the ship to make touchdown. It had been long enough but he understood the need to wait for the storm to blow over. He just wished that he could have waited in his quarters. He exhaled sharply through his nose as the two Rangers emerged from their craft. "Gentlemen, welcome to Triton Colony."
"Thank you," Xavier said as the pair walked forward. "I see you are the welcoming committee."
"I guess you could say that. I am Colonel s'Khev the Executive Officer and this is Lieutenant Commander Paxidor the Chief of Security. I know it is cold and wet out here but she will have to clear you before you can enter. Commander if you would..." There was a small part of Galen that took a perverse pleasure in keeping these two out in the rain. The Rangers were not well liked by Romulans, and this Romulan in particular did not like them at all.
Xavier was pretty good at not letting things rattle him. Minor things anyway, and the weather was a very minor factor as far as he was concerned. "And, just how long do you expect that to take?"
“I would expect, for you, Xavier, that this particular inspection won’t take very long,” Max said as emerged from the dark overhang and into the bright lights that illuminated the civilian docking pad. Max held a phaser rifle, the targeting laser of which landed squarely on Jack’s chest.
“I’d suggest you move away from Ranger Jack DiBello,” William Verhoeven told the android. “If you’ll come this way, Mister Xavier, I will take you into protective custody and remove you from this situation.”
Xavier looked at the human with a mixture of fear and curiosity. He didn't know what was going on, which bothered him greatly. If it had been anyone but Max, he would have done anything but concede. As it was, he walked away but kept glancing over his shoulder.
“So, you managed to live,” Jack said, disappointment in his voice. “I’d heard you were sick after our departure. I’m so glad you’re well.”
Jack didn’t know that Max had come into his powers due to Jack’s poison and the treatment of Doctor Graham. Even without his empathy, Max could hear the lie as much as he could feel it. “Drop your backpack and any weapons you’re carrying.”
Another three of the red laser lights settled on Jack, a clear indication that any one of the four weapons might kill Jack. “I want you to know Jack, that I actually DO hold a grudge. It’s not something the El-Aurians are known for, but maybe it’s because I’m still young.
“As such, I’m deferring Starfleet’s interest in your case. You may have, allegedly, attempted assassination against a Federation citizen, and a Starfleet captain, but this is a Romulan world now. Specifically, their new home world.” Max smirked, but he wasn’t sure Jack could even see it in the dark and the rain.
“Colonel s’Khev, I’m not able to read him his rights as he has none due to the extradition agreement.” Max deactivated his weapon and looked over his shoulder at Galen. “The prisoner is yours. Anything Triton Seabase can do to provide evidence of Ranger Jack DiBello’s guilt, Starfleet will cooperate to the fullest, Colonel. You also have full access to my residence, which for all intents and purposes, has been sealed since the day of the Seabase’s departure.”
Galen could not help but smile rather evilly. He had no love for the Fenris Rangers, and it seems that this one attempted to kill the Captain. He motioned to a Security Officer. "In the interest of friendship between our peoples, I feel that this should be investigated to the fullest.
“Please take Jack DiBello into custody. Mister DiBello, in accordance with the Romulan legal system, you are placed under arrest for attempted murder. You will remain in custody until your innocence is proven. Get this Hevam ryakna [human garbage] out of my sight."
Max stood in the soaking down rain, glad that it hid the tears of hatred that ran down his face. “Colonel,” he said, a decent pause between them. “I fully expect you to use every means in the Romulan arsenal, even those nasty mind probes I’ve heard about, to extract as much information from him as possible.
“And check him,” Max added. “Section 31 and Tal’Shiar have been known to kill themselves while in captivity. You may even want to do it now before he has the opportunity to kill himself in transport.”
"Yes sir. I am sure as a sign of goodwill, the Senate will be able to put an interrogation team at Commander Paxidor's disposal,” Galen answered coldly. “Since Mr. DiBello is now a guest of the Romulan prison system, I would like to have his ship searched as well."
What Galen said spoke volumes, what he didn't say spoke even more volumes. Whatever information he would find on that ship would be turned over to both the Captain and the Romulan authorities.
Max nodded, his head bobbing unconsciously. “I think you misunderstand, Colonel, the Federation…I’m not looking to play nice on this case.” Max paused and allowed his full fury to show to his XO.
“Whoever is behind this, they not only tried to kill me, but they tried to destroy our attempt to build a new relationship between our people in its infancy.
“Colonel, I want you to turn the full force of the Romulan interrogation machine against Jack DiBello, using whatever means you deem necessary. My guess is, Commander Paxidor won’t want to be privy to such…unsavory details.
“As the case is yours now, you have Starfleet’s full cooperation in the matter. Tear his ship apart, all the way down to the last self-sealing stem bolt, Colonel.
“Let me make this clear, if Jack DiBello is never heard from again, then so be it. Whether he’s in a coffin or a prison cell, or a death camp until he is worked to his last breath; none of that is my concern.”
"Understood sir. You know with orders like that you are going to make friends with the Romulan traditionalists before you know it," Galen replied with a smile as he watched the Captain turn and walk away.
Vi watched as Max walked away. The fury emanating from him was a virtual torrent in the aura around his body. His song had changed in that moment, when he saw Jack.
She leaned into Galen. "For the sake of our joint efforts, Colonel, I cannot condone the use of torture. The Captain also does not condone these activities, but in his current emotional state, has said some passionate things. As per Starfleet law, I am not to engage in any activities that would endanger the prisoner’s life, nor anything that would damage his body or mind." She paused and took her badge off.
"Personally, I am happy to 'liaise' as a security consultant in my spare time," she paused. "For the sake of a thorough investigation."
"I was not going to allow torture, just a few interesting interrogation techniques. I would appreciate you joining the team. Since the attack was on a Starfleet Captain, we will tell everyone that you represent Starfleet's interest in this matter." Galen turned away from Vi and raised his voice so Jack could hear. "Commander Paxidor please take the prisoner into custody. I will arrange for prisoner transfer to Romulan security."
Jack waited until the blonde woman was near him. “You know I didn’t try to kill anyone, Commander. Now they’re gonna tie me to a table and try those Romulan memory devices on me. You know what the pain from those things are like?” Jack asked as he was shoved by Romulan guards.
“You don’t even care, you Starfleet bitch!” Jack spat at her, a combination of chemical reactions in a pill contained between his teeth. Jack had missed her, the wall hissed with the burn of acid.
“And they would do worse to me.” Jack looked at Galen and then Vianola before swallowing the rest of the acid cap.
The acid ripped through his neck first, opening the soft tissue down to the bone. It followed his esophagus and trachea, exposing his lungs and then his stomach before he died within seconds. Agonizing seconds as his body twitched and guttural sounds gurgled from what what left of his lungs.
Max raced back, seeing the destruction Jack had just wrought upon himself. He leaned down and, with a shaky hand, touched Vianola’s face. Max looked into her eyes and felt her aura. “Thank the Gods you’re unharmed,” he said to her quietly. “I’m not sure I will make it through this place alive without you,” he added with a chuckle.
"Fortunately you won't have to find out today." Vi grimaced a little. The sight, and smell, was enough to make anyone nauseous and even if he was guilty, no-one should be treated to an acid bath. To watch him dissolve in front of her would definitely leave a mark on Vi.
The respect that Galen had for some of the crew and the Captain just lowered ever so slightly. The security officers should have been more thorough in their search. For that, they would be put through the paces. As for Culver, he seemed so nonchalant over the death. An over abundance of information now laid in a steaming pile of ooze. At this very moment, Galen knew that the Captain had a lot to learn about information gathering.
Max watched the Romulans react, but the doctors could do nothing. Jack was dead the moment he opened the capsule. “Damn it,” Max said furiously. “I told you men to search him.” Max wanted to throw something, but all he has was valuable equipment. He wanted to kick something, but all he had was an acid laden corpse.
“Gods damn it! I ordered you to check him for drugs and self-death devices,” he yelled at the combination Romulan and Starfleet crew. “What the actual fuck!”
“Colonel, Jack DiBello is still your prisoner. You should have people recovering his body and any of the evidence that could be washing away!”
Galen closed his eyes and rubbed his temple briefly. Tonight had went from bad to worse in a matter of seconds. To make matters worse, there was no evidence to obtain and he knew it. He had no idea what the Captain thought they could get from a pile of bubbling ooze. However, orders as always were orders. Galen ordered one of the Romulan Security Officers to take Jack's clothing so it could be checked for any evidence. That was the least that could be done.
As Max considered the acid eaten body and the scent of fresh bodily fluids, his mind raced to Xavier. “Xavier!” He exclaimed even as he bolted to make sure the android was safe.
Vi watched as Max began to run off. She moved towards the security officers in shock at what they had just witnessed, even the Romulan officers gave pause. "You cannot blame yourselves. We only just got him from his ship and hadn't searched him yet. This will cause problems but don't worry. I'll make sure no-one gets reprimanded." she spoke mostly to her own staff. She couldn't really do much but put in a good word for the Romulans.
Galen simply watched the Captain leave out of the side of his eyes. He knew that there was so much more going on here than met the eye. As of this moment it was his personal mission to learn exactly why a Fenris Ranger wanted to kill a Starfleet Captain, and furthermore what would cause said Fenris Ranger to kill himself upon discovery. Again the nonchalance of the Captain struck Galen as odd.
He made his way toward Vi and the Security Officers. "Let this be a lesson for next time. Everyone gets searched immediately at the very least for something like that pill. I agree with the Commander. In this case it was not your fault. However, as the old human expression goes. Fool me once..." Galen addressed all of the Security officers present, both Romulan and Starfleet.
Max handed his rifle to another Starfleet security officer. “Activate building shields,” he ordered as the building was surrounded with a comforting blue shield and a gentle hum. “Let no more but the command crew and a few trusted Romulan and Starfleet guards in the building,” he added as a secondary order before finding the young blond android that had become attached to Jack’s hip.
’Fortunately, he wasn’t a primary target,’ Max thought. “Computer, raise blast shields,” he said loudly enough for the android to hear. “Mister Xavier,” he said as the rain continued to pour down on them both. “Let’s step inside and have a talk, shall we?”
"We definitely need to talk," the android acknowledged. "I don't know what you think Jack did, but he saved me. Without him, I'd still be a mannequin on some god-forsaken planet."
"You had better have proof of what you're accusing him of."
Max grabbed the towel tossed to him by one of his crewmen. “You’re a lot wetter than I am, Xavier. Would you like to use the room there,” Max paused and pointed at the empty room. “There’s a replicator and you can change into dry clothes.”
Xavier caught the towel and gave the man a brief nod. He stepped into the other room and dried off. He emerged a few minutes later in a freshly replicated outfit, his hair still damp.
Max dried his hair and then followed down his jacket and pants. Once done, Max removed his rain jacket and slipped it onto the back of an empty chair. Removing the suspenders, Max dropped the weather-resistant pants, so he sat in just his black pants and black tunic. A slight chill ran up his spine and uncannily, his crewman handed him his field jacket and shoes a moment later. “Thank you,” he said suspiciously.
The android waited for the Captain to don his jacket before speaking. "So, what is going on here? Why did you arrest Jack? What do you think he did?"
“There’s only so much I can tell you, Xavier. I’d like to pause this conversation for just a moment because I thought I overheard you tell Jack you felt a memory resurface. That’s possibly more important than what is happening with Jack now.” Max paused and opened his body language, inviting Xavier to access that moment. Hell, at this point, Jack was dead and Xavier had no one to rely on but Max now.
"I do understand and respect the chain of command, so I won't push. But, I will want some answers. Soon."
"But, yes, I did have a memory. I think I did anyway. I was in a storm, like this, only different somehow. But that's it, I can't remember anything more."
Max sighed heavily. He felt like every time Xavier was close to a memory, it slipped through his fingers like sand.
Switching tact, Max moved to questions about Jack. “Okay…Jack is being arrested for allegedly attempting the assassination of a high-ranking Starfleet officer on the day Triton Seabase launched. Max purposely withheld that it was himself that had been poisoned.
“The death of this officer would have driven an immediate wedge between Starfleet and the Romulan Star Empire. Especially when it was revealed that the poison used was of Romulan origin and easily obtainable.
“Evidence that allegedly ties Jack to this crime is; the poison was tracked to the Romulan Free State. It wasn’t and couldn’t have been manufactured on this planet. Jack’s own flight patterns put him in the area to obtain the poison. Jack had access to the Starfleet officer in question multiple times throughout the day in question.
“The poison was administered in two parts. It required Jack to be there at a certain time, which he was. The Starfleet Officer survived. Jack is being held for attempted murder, multiple diplomatic crimes against a Starfleet officer, the United Federation of Planets, and the Romulan Star Empire.
“In favor of cooperation, the Federation has allowed the Romulan Senate to try Jack DiBello once their investigation is complete.”
“Now, what are your questions, Xavier?” Max asked.
It took a few moments for Xavier to process what was being said. "Jack, guilty of murder? I guess attempted murder? I haven't known him long, but I find that difficult to believe."
"I mean, I know he doesn't like Romulans, but this? Why would he want to start, or restart an intergalactic war?"
Max gave Xavier a hard stare. He licked his teeth and tutted at Xavier. “During your time with Jack, he never said anything odd about the newly re-establishing Romulan Empire?!
“Killing a diplomatic Starfleet Officer high on the list of keeping the Romulan/Federation relationship stable early in our process of making this relationship work, add to that he, allegedly, used a Romulan poison? It would have ended the attempt at Federation and Romulan peace before Triton Seabase even launched.
“He made plans to help someone, the Romulan Free State by the looks of it, expand their territory. What would he get out of this, hmm? This is more than just money, Xavier. This is Jack getting his own bit of space to rule.
“Just one little problem left, Xavier. What is he doing with the people of the Romulan Star Empire, Xavier?” Max asked. Maybe Jack had been dumb enough to lay out his plans.
“Romulans were the ones that messed with my memory, turning me into nothing but a fancy coat rack, so I have little love for the ones that did it. Jack knew that. He's the one that rescued me after all.
"But I'm not judging the many by the deeds of the few. Maybe Jack did."
"I would never go along with that kind of thing, I hope you know me better than that. Jack played his cards pretty close to his chest. He didn't tell me about any plans."
"Am I on trial too? Are you going to arrest me?"
Max settled down onto a hard, plasteel chair. “There’s no indication that charges should be pressed against you, Xavier. I do want to know if you’re like Commander Data, are you capable of lying?” Max asked.
"I'm not sure I can answer that question, one way or the other. I can tell you though that I'm not lying now. I didn't know anything about Jack's plans. If I did, I would have tried to stop him. No matter what the consequences."
Max nodded. “I’d like to put you in protective custody for the moment. It probably helps that Jack’s freighter won’t be going anywhere, anytime soon,” Max explained.
Vi walked in as it looked like Max was wrapping things up with Xavier. "Things are being cleared up now sir," she spoke cryptically, Xavier didn't need to know Jack was currently a puddle in the bay. "Jack's ship will be thoroughly searched and any evidence carefully catalogued and removed.
Galen walked in silently and stoically. He could tell that the Captain had been wrapping up an interrogation. The way the Romulan felt at the moment if they did not get all the information needed from the Android, he would simply deactivate the thing. Then take the information from its memory banks. He turned to Vi. "Commander please make sure that any and all data storage from his ship is sent directly to me for review. There could be important information to the case both encrypted and otherwise."
“Xavier,” Max redirected the android’s attention back to himself. “My new engineering chief has previous history with androids. He may be able to help you access your lost memories if you’d like.
“First, a nice place to stay for a few days, and then we can potentially help you recover your memories that were lost in the process of the Romulan cult that tried to destroy your mind entirely. He’ll be here in four days and settled in soon after. What do you think?”
"I would like that," Xavier acknowledged, "I'm assuming they're not a synth hater and aren't going to try to shut me down?"
“To the contrary, Xavier, he is looking forward to working with you. If it makes you feel any better, I may not entirely understand what is being done to your positronic neural network, but I can tell an attempt to destroy one. I’d be happy to stay near, perhaps even ask the current Ambassador to the Federation on Synthetic life forms for her assistance,” Max suggested.
“Either way, it’s time you came with us. We need to process the scene and get things moving. I have to find a place for the freighter to be held for a while and find Mister DiBello some accommodations to match his Romulan sentencing,” Max said, trying to sound reassuring.
Seeing two Starfleet security personnel and two Romulans, Max pointed down. “I want one from each team to come guard him. The other two will report to Colonel s’Khev regarding his quarters.”
Max walked away from the android and back to Galen. “Colonel, I expect your men are moving the” Max paused and coughed, “evidence and saving as much information as they can? I’d like a full forensic investigation of the remains, the acid type used, where it came from.”
"Yes, the men are gathering all they can. My estimation is that it was most likely a standard hydrochloride tablet. These are easy to obtain and as you can see highly effective," Galen deadpanned in reply.
“Vianola, you can work in tandem with Colonel s’Khev, but utilize the big bay in Golden Towers for the Kaplan freighter. I’ll ask Senator V’trel as soon as courtesy allows. Until then, it can wait here at the civilian docking port, secured by Romulan and Starfleet crewmen. No need to do it in the dead of night with a cold front coming in.”
"Yes sir. I'll see to to the freighter. We'll work closely with our Romulan friends here," Vi replied.
“I’ll see to the relocation of Xavier tonight…personally. No escorts or weapons will be required. “I’d like to have as few personnel know his whereabouts until the correction of his neural net has been attempted, if not successfully completed.”
“That will be a week, Colonel, at least. I do have a suggestion on where if you’d like. You may have a better waiting place in mind, however,” Max paused as a wave of exhaustion washed over him. The natural chemical reactions that had kept him running at one hundred percent were now starting to ebb. Max yawned, “I am open to suggestions.”
Galen had absolutely no love for synthetic lifeforms. However, he hid it well and would perform his duty no matter how uncomfortable it would make him. "I believe the best place to hide someone is right under their nose, sort of speak. I would give him quarters aboard Triton. Between my people and Commander Paxidor's, we can have a guard on him at all times. No one would get in to him without alerting someone on the station."
Max nodded. “Let’s get him quarters and security qualifications for Triton Seabase then, Colonel.“ It wasn’t late enough for Max to be this tired. Gone was the rush of adrenaline and concern to keep everyone alive. Unfortunately, they hadn’t managed the latter, but if someone had to die, Jack DiBello was the place to start.
Synthetics made Vi uncomfortable. Ever since the attack on Mars she's avoided any she's came across as she wouldn't know how she'd react to them. She'd seen Xavier many times but never spoke to him precisely because of this. The attacks of Mars by synthetics caused her the loss of the man she loved, caused her great pain, and you don't just wake up and get over that. "Quarters can be arranged, but I will not be giving him clearance for most of the station." Vi said sternly. "He is a guest, nothing more." With that she left the boys in each others company and went off to clear her head.
Max shook his head. He could feel how much pain this caused Vi. Now he was asking her to do her duty and feel this badly for at least a week. “Why don’t we just confine him to quarters. As you said, keep him on Triton but having him run around the base isn’t keeping him out of danger. For all we know, Jack has him on a most wanted list. There are people who could bypass our security.”
"Confine him to quarters and deactivate computer control in those quarters. No disrespect intended however, synthetic lifeforms have taken control of Starfleet installations in the past. He doesn't need replicator control as he does not eat." Galen replied with no expression. "I believe we can question him further come morning."
Max nodded. “Deactivate all nonessential programs and power relays. I I believe he needs a weekly recharge of his own systems, but we can attend to those needs as we choose, or not at all,” Max answered with a warning to the tone of his voice.
“Now,” Max said, adopting a bit of a smile. “Let’s get back to Triton Seabase. I’ve had enough of tonight’s endless rain and the cold that’s coming in behind it.”
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