The Diplomatic Weapons

Posted on Mon Nov 23rd, 2015 @ 9:25pm by Lieutenant JG Elliot Keller & Commander Bertrand Cuprum

Mission: If I told you...
Location: USS Victory

Elliot had been given his orders in regards to a need to know Operation he had been assigned to. He was a little confused at first as to why him but he also had questions and who better than a man in the know.

"Commander? Commander Cuprum?" Elliot asked as quickly attempted to catch up to the Betazoid Commander.

Cuprum was fuming. He hated secrecy in missions, or in any aspect of life. He would say it was a racial thing, but he suspected it was more of a personal quirk. Still something about this mission and Mr Smith made his skin itch.

He heard his name called in the corridor and turned to see the younger ensign running to catch him up.

"Ah, Ensign Keller, you seem in a hurry," he said, trying to keep on top of his natural gruff disposition. "You need me for something?"

"Can you explain to me, Sir, Starfleet Intelligence have assigned me to an Away Team and moved half the Diplomatic Department to Kingston Station?" Elliott asked handing the Commander a PADD.

Bertrand ground his teeth, reading the transfer sheet, but said nothing initially. He gestured for Elliot to step into the room next to them, which turned out to be one of the unoccupied quarters.

"You were not at the briefing, so understand that this is a need to know situation. You now need to know," he said quietly once the door sealed. "SFI has great faith in your capabilities, hence your selection. There is a potential that we are about to come to a Hostile situation, though it is not yet confirmed. We may be looking at first contact with an aggressive species, even a hostage situation. If that is the case, SFI want the situation resolved with minimal collateral damage. We are taking the Marines as well in case negotiations fail, but talking is the preferred option. Do you understand the task before you?"

Elliot nodded. "Aye Sir, I understand," the Ensign said looking at him. "I don't trust Smith, he doesn't look like your typical Intel Officer," he said honestly. "Besides why bring his own people on board?"

"Trust?" Bertrand looked surprised, "I tend not to trust anyone, but he is legit SFI. I looked into it thoroughly. As for bringing in his own people, this is a very sensitive job, and only a bare few of the crew have the security clearance to be involved, let alone informed. It is not officially happening at all. You'll get your people back when the job is done."

Bertrand pinched the bridge of his nose, "Everyone is on edge, and Smith isn't helping that, but the CO accepted this job for a good reason, even if we don't know what it is. Let's just all do our job and get this mess as far behind us as we can, agreed?"

Eliliot nodded. "You can count on me Sir." The Ensign with a nod. Now the two men parted ways and proceeded with their orders. The sooner it was sorted, the sooner they could get away from Smith and this Mission.