Digging Out the Truth

Posted on Thu May 10, 2018 @ 3:54pm by Lieutenant Commander Alex Rho & Commodore Michael Aravan & Captain Madelina Weisz & Lieutenant Colonel S'er'in'e & Lieutenant JG Jacob Hartley & Valasa Caenala

Mission: Falling Star
Location: Intelligence
Timeline: MD 33 || 1500 Hours

Once the Victorious was safely docked with the Triumphant, Michael called a meeting set in an Intelligence conference room. He went to deck forty-four, using his command override to get to the deck and pressed the chime leading to the unmarked door that led to the Intelligence Complex.

Jacob sighed as he looked at the data on the screen in the data centre, looking at the progress of the merc database hack. He had gotten the database, but it was protected, so it was taking time to decode the entire thing.

An alert on the system told him of a command override to enter the deck, so Jacob quickly checked the system and saw who it was. He was wearing his uniform; usually he didn't unless he knew there was going to be a meeting, something he was grateful to Alex for allowing, since it made him more comfortable when working, and went to the entrance of the Intelligence complex.

Using his code, he allowed the Commodore access to the complex, and stood at attention. "Commodore, welcome to the Intelligence Complex." Jacob said, as the doors opened.

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Michael said as he looked around the room which seemed to hold only one desk, a chair and a potted plant. "I thought it would be bigger."

Jacob grinned. It was the first time he had been able to do this, and to see the look on the Commodore's face...it would be a moment he would treasure.

"Bigger, sir? This room's as big as it needs to be. It is only the entrance, after all." Jacob said. He smiled at Priscilla, who was standing behind the desk, wearing a black cocktail dress, and an armband on her left arm. "Priscilla, please authorise the Commodore entry to the complex for our meeting." He said.

"Of course, Lieutenant." Priscilla said, with a friendly smile. Jacob looked at the commodore as the hidden door shimmered into existence, and Jacob opened it, allowing the Commodore entrance, looking for his reaction.

Michael gave a nod of approval and had started for the door when the chime rang again.

Maddy made her way toward the Intel Complex and shook her head. Yes, she understood the need to protect everything that was inside, but all of this was just too much for her, and the fact of the matter was, it made her not even want to bother. Of course, the redhead had a job to do, and regardless how inconvenient all of this was, she'd go through it. And just like Michael before her, she pressed the chime and waited to be given access.

Alex materialized in the corridor and walked up behind Maddy. "Allow me, Captain Weisz." He entered his authorization codes and watched the doors to his office opened. He caught a quick glance and saw Jacob already in there along with his Yeoman. "After you, Ma'am."

"Thank you, Lieutenant Rho," she said, offering him a smile. Maddy was definitely grateful to be saved, cause this meant she didn't have to wait to be granted entry into the facility.

Colonel S'er'in'e was not far behind the Lieutenant who as he rounded the corner stood with Captain Weisz who he guessed was getting the door for her. Considering his size and weight his movements were fluid and silent, his tail gentle in sway behind him with each stride, ears forward and alert. When he came to a stop beside the pair he spoke. "Captain." A slight bow as per tradition afforded all females and stood upright to tower over the pair. "Lieutenant." He greeted.

"Colonel," Maddy said, offering the large Caitian a smile. "It's good to have you back. I trust things went fairly well on your side?"

Alex gave a nod to the large Caitian. "A pleasure."

A smile was S'er'in'e's reply, or at least as good as a smile as a Caitian could muster masked by a coat of fur.

"I'm glad everyone's here," Michael said when he saw Maddy and S'er'in'e. "Shall we learn about that merc fleet and talk to the Captain and see what the database has to offer us?"

"I've already been running a decryption sequence, and got some information, sir," Jacob said as he led the way through the hidden door. "It's still ongoing, but we do have the best systems here in the data centre, working on it." He explained.

"That's good," Michael said as the small office started to get cramped and indicated the doorway leading into the Intel complex. "Shall we?"

His Yeoman sidled up to him and nodded. Alex returned the nod with smile. "Do you ever wear anything other than that little black dress?" he asked.

"Of course I do, Alex," Priscilla responded. "You just always seem to come along the little black dress times." She looked over at him and smoothed the dress down.

Alex shook his head. "We shall." The both of them walked through the door into the main part of the Intel center. The offices were buzzing with people moving about and transporting in and out. "What kind of information are we talking about?"

Maddy arched a brow. Just what in the hell was going on inside the Intel complex, and why hadn't she been privy to the information? Little black dresses? All the redhead could do was shake her head. "Before we go any further, would someone care to explain to me what this is?" she demanded, gesturing toward Priscilla. The annoyance she felt prior to her entry seemed to be growing by the second, and the Executive Officer was doing very little to hide that fact.

S'er'ine remained silent as the exchange took place, he did however take note of the complex, layout mostly through habit and training than genuine interest.

Michael looked at the Yeoman after Maddy questioned it. "Mnemonic uniform?" he asked.

"Yes, Sir," Priscilla responded and touched hem. Instantly, her dress turned into a Starfleet uniform, complete with the rank tabs of a Chief Petty Officer.

"That answers that," Michael told Maddy before he looked at Rho. "And this is how you have everyone in the department dress?" he asked.

"If I may sir, I think Priscilla's dress style does have it's advantages. When we welcome people like yourself, it presents a slightly more friendly atmosphere, given that people are already on guard since we're Intel. Friendly smile can make someone feel less uneasy." Jacob said. "At least, that's my view on it."

"And a decent opinion it is, Lieutenant. People's senses are more alert and nerves tend to get the best of them when they have to report down here. This is the Starfleet Intelligence department," Alex calmly added, without any snark. The Captain was most certainly bothered by it all and it wouldn't be good to have her on his or the department's bad side. "What all Intel personnel receive at the Academy is simply a primer to the rest of their career. We use our education about a quarter of the time. Here, post-Academy they get the needed experience and learn to use their wits the rest of the time. As to the dress and appearance, Commodore, unless Intel personnel need to deal with Command or be outside of the physical confines of the department, they can 'wear' their civilian clothes that they have programmed into their mnemonic suits. We know who is who and what their role is."

"Let's get to the task at hand, shall we?" the Captain asked. "We're all here for a reason, yes?"

"Then let's go see the prisoner," Michael said as he headed into the Intel complex.

"Indeed," Alex nodded. "Let's go visit our prisoner. If you will though, please stay where you are. The Intel Secure Holding and Interrogation Facility only has one way in and out. Transporter." Alex tapped his combadge, "Lieutenant Rho to Intel Holding, six to beam in. Engage when you're ready." A few seconds later, blue light engulfed the team and moved them to the transporter pad inside the Facility. "Welcome to Intel Secure Holding and Interrogation." Alex stepped off the pad and headed to the door. "Jacob, is our prisoner in Holding or Interrogation?"

"I had him put in holding. He's already had a few choice words to say. I don't think he's too pleased with being here." Jacob replied. He had overseen the transfer himself, and had learned a couple of new swear words.

"Well, that's just too bad for him," the redhead Captain said, looking toward Hartley. She hadn't forgotten that he shot a simulated version of her, nor was it likely she ever would, but now wasn't the time to bring it up. "Let's see what he has to say."

"Then let's get this moving," Michael said as he approached the holding cells.

Maddy followed behind Michael with the intentions of speaking with him one on one once all of this was over. There were still some things that bothered her, and needed to be corrected, but as there was a time and place for such things, she was going to let that go for now.

The prisoner was in the single quad of cells to the right of the corridor. Each quad was manned by a Brig officer positioned at a console so that he could see all four cells. Their newest guest was currently the only inhabitant of this quad, so it was rather quiet.

Behind a forcefield a man lay on the thin bed which went the length of his cell. He was an average build and had long scraggly black beard dangling from a head that was a size to big. He'd have compensated with a heavy coat or armour, but those had been confiscated. In their place was a plain grey jumpsuit the staff had dressed him in while he was unconscious. He paid the party entering no mind, content to lie back peacefully with a hand resting on his chest.

Alex walked in and nodded to the officer on duty before eyeing a PADD on the console. Once it had been given to him, Alex scanned through the information. "Well, who do we have here? Mr. Noël Dubuisson. It's been a while since Starfleet Intelligence has heard that name." Whether it was or not, Alex would never tell. "So what have you been up to these day, Noël?"

"Its been a while since I've seen the inside of one of these cells too." Noël replied, not bothering to sit up, only rolling his head around. "Things seemed to have changed. You guys used to make sure you disavowed a citizen before raiding their property and abducting them."

Maddy moved to the front of the group and regarded the man inside the cell. A slow smile spread across her face after he finished speaking. "I am Captain Madelina Weisz, Executive Officer aboard the USS Triumphant. You attacked a Federation vessel, and therefore have given up your rights as a citizen. You are officially a prisoner, and will have formal charged brought against you," she said, clasping her hands behind her back. "Right off the top of my head, I can think of three that would land you on the worst penal planet there is. So... make things easier on yourself and cooperate, or we'll just keep piling those charges on. I don't mind doing that, either, but I'm giving you the choice."

Noël rolled his head back in laughter "If that's the story you want to go with. My vessel was idling in a nebula outside of Federation space when we attacked and boarded. Or do your reports say differently?"

Michael listened to Maddy and then stepped forward. "I'm Commodore Michael Aravan," he said. "And I can definitely assure you that cooperation is in your best interest. We're on a mission of mercy to the Independent Romulan Systems Allied Forces and your assault on our ships was a hostile act."

The prisoner sat up and pivoted around on his backside before he was facing the commodore and entourage. "You started it."

"This isn't a who started it contest," Michael said. "Your ships fired on us."

S'er'in'e was in little mood for games, this gosling for dominance was getting nowhere. He said, she said, he did or they did. Time was no a luxury for this chess game of words. His frustration at the situation was evident if anyone in the room could read him well enough, flared whiskers, forward alert ears, slight distorting of otherwise smooth black lines in his fur. "If I may..." S'er'in'e took one step forward. "I'd like to speak with him." His tone left little to the imagination that large degree of persuasion was going to be applied but by what means he didn't say.

Michael looked at the giant Marine Commander and then at Maddy and finally at Rho before looking back to S'er'in'e. "Define talk, Colonel," he said.

"I will not harm him, if it put you at ease I will not even touch him." S'er'in'e replied.

"Do it, but try not to touch him," Maddy said.

"I don't have any objections," Michael said before he looked at Rho. "Do you, Lieutenant?" He asked as Alex as the Second Officer and as part of the Command team in that regard, he had a say.

Alex eyed Noel, then looked back at the Commodore. "So long as he doesn't touch him."

"Look, I understand the situation I'm in and I'm fully willing to co-operate. But we need to agree on reality first." Noel said, folding his arms and reclining slightly in his seat. "My ship didn't fire on anyone. Your fighters made sure of that. Once we were disabled the other ships in the flotilla operated independent of us. I'm not responsible for their actions." He raised his arm up at the one who identified himself as Intelligence. "You've read my file, I might skirt the law, but I'm not a pirate."

"Winners of battles and wars write the history books," Alex said. "Reality is relative. Let's just stick to the point that you said you'll cooperate. And yes, I have read your file and know about your work. Which is why I expect you answer any questions...," he paused briefly and turned to the rest of the group, "...without any further discussion about who shot first. That little tidbit isn't getting us anywhere." He turned back to face Noel. "And trust me, you would much rather answer questions here than in my interrogation chamber."

"So you admit that you were in control of the other ships until yours was disabled," Michael said. "Who gave you orders to attack us?"

Noel waved his finger "Don't put words in my mouth commodore. The only implication of what I said is that I couldn't have possibly given the order to attack your vessel. Before I answer anything I want to know the status of my ship and crew. I also want a way out of this situation, and the details of my being in that nebula are the only things I have to bargain with."

Instead of responding to the man immediately, Michael looked at Rho and gave a nod, then looked back at the prisoner. "Your ship and crew are secured," he said. "As for a way out, the only way out you're getting is when you go to a penal colony for the rest of your life. However, they may go easier on if you if you cooperate fully as you said you were going to, and that's straight from your mouth."

"You see, that wouldn't be great for you." The prisoner said, rubbing the back of his head. "I've not technically done anything wrong, and even if I did, I did it in space in which the Federation has no jurisdiction. If it was to get out that a Federation citizen was locked up for defending his ship from an unlawful raid there would be a scandal."

Alex sighed. He'd hoped to keep from getting into the file...but that was now gone. And it seemed that Noel was intent to stick with the back-and-forth. The Ulllian was getting tired of this dance and it was about to show. "Okay then, Mr. Federation Citizen. In the past years, your Hakucho-class vessel, the Two for Flinching, has come up in lists taken from several criminal organizations. Then we have numerous allegations of corruption from an independent system's council. And if that wasn't enough, your sudden and inexplicable departure from your assignment post-pardon is something that I fully intend to hold you for as a representative of Starfleet Intelligence. So, done nothing wrong doesn't fly in my book. Put it to rest and answer the questions or my next order is to have you immediately transported to an Interrogation Chamber."

The prisoner stepped forward, looking Alex up and down as he approached the cells barrier. When he reached its edge he locked eyes with the officer. "I don't suppose a fascist like you has heard of due process." He then looked over at the commodore. "If you're not willing to cut me and my crew a deal, we've got nothing to talk about. I fought against Cardassians as an unaffiliated combatant, knowing full well what they do to their prisoners. Do your worst." He then turned his back and headed back towards the thin bench along the far wall.

"I see your mouth moving, and all I keep hearing is blah, blah, blah," Maddy said, making a gesture with her hand that resembled a talking puppet. She turned her attention back to the man inside the cell and smiled... evilly. "Lieutenant Rho... since he doesn't want to cooperate with us... we'll force him to comply. How about you bring out the big guns? A little truth serum never hurt anyone."

Noel rolled his eyes and lay back down on the bed. "You don't frighten me. Either you hold true to the federation ideal an make a deal, or torture, sorry, use 'enhanced interrogation techniques'" He made quotes with his fingers, "and vindicate all of my poor life decisions."

"For someone that's told me absolutely nothing, you keep assuming that providing nothing while demanding a deal is going to work for you," the Commodore said. "Now then, give me something useful other than lip service or you'll rot here and your crew and ship will be turned over to Federation authorities and none of you will ever see the light of freedom again."

"You've not really offered me anything either commodore, but here's a freebee," Noel said, looking up at the ceiling, placing his hands behind his head. "The chemical attack a few days ago? The insurgents ordered enough precursors to make 10 times that amount. I have a rough idea as to where they might be placed, and I have evidence linking the attack to the Romulan Empire." He rolled his head over to look at the commodore. "Now if you want that information, I'm going to need to see light at the end of the tunnel."

"Lieutenant Rho, enlighten this man. I'm done talking," Michael said. "It's his turn if he likes it or not."

"Aye, Commodore." Alex walked to the console and the officer manning it stepped away. He tapped in some commands to the console in Interrogation Room Two. The Ensign there sent a confirmation back to Alex. The null-G, force field surrounded interrogation chamber was online. The atmosphere was that of the peak of Mount Everest on Earth. And an aerosol truth serum was being vented into the chamber. Alex then looked up at the cell and initiated the transport. A blue beam engulfed their prisoner and he disappeared. "If you will all follow me, Interrogation Room Two is just down the hall." Alex left the room without a word.

Noel began by thrashing around, attempting to stabilise himself in the zero-g environment as his breathing labored. His hands sought out the near by walls, floor and ceiling unsuccessfully. He looked to his hands and feet for something to remove. Slowly, the prisoner's breaths became slower and slower as his motions became less frantic. He shook his head a few times, fighting the effects before he gave in, his arms and legs spreading like a starfish.

Alex walked in and shook his head, looking at the Ensign. "Flailing?" The Ensign nodded and Alex smiled. "Increase the oxygen and the gravity and make the air less thin at a slow rate. Bring him around. Keep the truth gas in there, though. We need him to talk." Alex turned to see if the others were behind him.

The lids of the prisoners eyelids cracked open sightly. He was awake but clearly out of it. Ready for whatever his interrogators had in mind.

S'er'in'e stood and looked on, wordless but ever present as he watched, watched as time ticked on by with little reward for the effort. He thought back to the stories his Father told him in his youth, fear was a potent tool if wielded correctly.

"Is he ready, Mister Rho?" Michael asked.

"As far as I can tell," replied Alex, "he's ready. If not, we have options available to us."

"What is your full name?" Michael asked Noel.

"Noël... Dubuisson" The prisoner answered groggily.

"Who hired you to ambush any Federation ships coming through the bottleneck?"

"Centurion... Sutith"

"Why and is Centurion Sutith affiliated with the Romulan Republic or the Independent Romulan Systems Allied Forces?" Michael asked.

"Sutith is Tal Shiar.... Don't know why."

"The Tal Shiar?" Michael echoed and looked at Maddy and Rho. "I thought they were destroyed. Did this Centurion Sutith tell you why you were to attack us and how long have you worked with him?"

"Don't know why..." the Prisoner repeated "We've been working for him for... about 6 months.

"If I may, Commordore." Alex didn't wait for a response, though. He expected that being as he was would make Noel more susceptible to a mindprobe. Alex immediately thrust into the man's mind and spoke in a loud, echoing voice that seemed to reverberate through a cavern. Are you responsible for the attack on Cassandra? Alex began searching his mind for memories of that event.

"No" Noel said, though his thoughts were tinted with guilt. Images of him delivering chemicals to Romulans passed through his mind. He didn't know what was in them, he'd learned not to ask questions he didn't want the answers to. But after the news of the attack broke he put two and two together.

"This is a good start," replied Alex. "Let's keep going."

"Did Centurion Sutith tell you when my ship would arrive?" Michael asked.

"No."

"Are there any other locations targeted?" Michael asked. "What else have you done for the Tal Shiar?"

"We were hired to discreetly deliver chemicals... Didn't know what they were..." Even in his delirious state his voice became mournful. "Two other locations... The Transporter records should have their co-ordinates."

"Mister Rho, get that info from the ship," Michael ordered. "Captain Weisz, please take the prisoner in the brig with the rest of his crew. Colonel S'er'in'e, I'll need a full report on one happened."

"Gladly," Maddy said, waiting for the opportunity to get her hands on the prisoner. Of course, she wasn't going to hurt him or anything, but it would be nice to give him a nice little shove into a cell.

S'er'in'e nodded, making a note to forward a copy of his after action battle report to the Captain.

"Understood, Commodore. We'll get right on it," replied the Intel Chief.

===Intel Office===

Jacob, meanwhile, had left the four of them to the interrogation whilst he went back into the data centre. He knew it was going to be important to crack the database, and he would be damned if he didn't get the job done.

Standing at the holographic data display, Jacob began to look at the information that was already starting to decode. The problem was that the security protocol's were good, so Jacob decided to add a little of the personal touch.

"Alright, let's see what we can do," He said, looking at the coding. He called up the intel decryption program, which was working hard, but as Jacob looked at the data, he realised that the security coding was going to be a little easier to crack. It used a number of logic security coding systems to defend itself, but to fool a logic security system, well, required more than brute force.

Accessing the data on old fashioned logic bombs, old virus programs from Earth, Jacob realised that the reason the computer was having a problem was that the coding wasn't that advanced, so the computer didn't know when it was cracking a part of it.

"Oh, that's bloody clever," Jacob had to compliment the idea behind it. Switching tactics, he began to enter different string data combinations, and smiled as he was able to start cracking the different cipher codes that were being used.

Data began flashing up - first, lists of locations where the ship had been. That wasn't important, although Jacob did start organising the data for Intel files. It would definitely be of some use. He made a note to study the database in more detail when he could.

At the same time, he called up the information on the interrogation, and heard that the suspect, Noel, was denying they fired first, and how Starfleet was the enemy. The communications logs, however, showed differently.

"Nice try." Jacob muttered, calling that information onto a PADD. It was then he struck what he had been looking for - everything on the virus. He smirked as he downloaded the data, and headed into the interrogation area, where he saw the Commodore, Captain, Colonel and Alex.

"Commodore, Captain." He greeted the two senior officers. "I've just been working on the database. Turns out they were using older security systems to fool the modern ones. However, I was able to crack their codes," He said, holding out the PADD.

"That's everything the ship had on the virus, including the cure. It also contains communications logs. Turns out they were the head ship. Mr. Noel is definitely someone of importance in their little group. They were in charge of the whole thing." Jacob explained.

"Does it have the cure or countermeasures for it?" Michael asked Hartley.

"Thankfully, yes sir, it does," Jacob said, with a nod. "The exact cure is...well, I'm not a doctor, so I don't understand it, but everything is there to cure it."

"Transfer it to Medical and Science and give me a copy of it, too," Michael told him. "Good work, Lieutenant."

"Yes, good work," Maddy echoed. Despite still not being happy with him for what took place some time back, she felt the need to offer an atta boy where it was deserved. "Actually... give me two copies, and I'll see to it that Science and Medical receive them personally."

Jacob nodded. "Right away. Commodore, keep that copy, I'll make the others now." Jacob said. He went back to the data centre and made the copies, which took all of a few seconds. Returning to the Commodore and Captain, he handed the two PADD's to her. "I can also prepare the data needed to ensure that our guest is locked up for a very long time, whilst omitting the sensitive materials." He offered.

Maddy accepted the two PADDs from Hartley, leaving the rest of that to the Commodore. She nodded her head. "Thank you, Lieutenant. Commodore, I'll leave you to see to the rest of this while I got speak with our Science and Medical Chiefs."

"Thank you, Mister Hartley but there'll be no need to omit anything," Michael said before turning to Maddy. "And you as well, Captain." He looked at Rho. "Good job to your team." With that, he turned an headed out.

"I'll make sure to pass your words along, sir. They did good, that's for sure." Alex headed out to plan for the next phase.