Working 9 to 5

Posted on 11 May 2023 @ 5:38pm by Commodore Harvey Geisler & Lieutenant Commander Joey Geisler & Lieutenant Commander Camila Di Pasquale

1,891 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Milk Run
Location: Security Brig
Timeline: Mission Day 6 at 1215

After Commander Geisler joined her, Camila immediately stepped into the turbolift and requested the Brig. The turbolift door shooshed quietly shut and commenced on its short trip to deck twelve. The Security Chief turned to the Intelligence Chief.

"Do you want to play good law enforcement officer or bad?" Camila asked.

Joey cast a glance toward Camila. "Did we ever actually do a good one? I don't quite remember that. If I remember correctly, it was bad law enforcement officer and worse law enforcement officer," she stated. "That being said, I don't mind starting off good, but that isn't likely to last long. I don't foresee cooperation in our immediate future."

"Neither do I, so let's lay it on the line," the Security Chief said as they came to the Brig. She nodded to the Ensign on duty and went to stand before the cells holding the crew that they had beamed aboard. "I am Lieutenant Commander Di Pasquale of the USS Black Hawk and your cooperation in this matter is vital to your own safety." She let that sink in and looked at Joey.

The prisoner, a male Bolian, couldn't help but laugh. "Don't kid me, Lieutenant Commander. You and I both know Starfleet won't let you hurt me."

"Lieutenant Commander Joelle Geisler, USS Black Hawk," she said, moving to stand behind the Bolian man, but just off to his side. Which one was she? Good cop or bad cop? Either way, they had questions, and he had answers. "Do you really want to test that theory? We may be women, but we've both done things that would surely give you nightmares. We're going to ask you some questions now, and you're going to answer them."

The Bolian laughed. "Look, I love to talk. Want to know where I do my hair? Or the name of my tailor? I can spin all sorts of tales about the fish in the Argelian sea. But if you want to talk about Kelinor, then sorry. Just stick me in one of your Federation cells. I'll get a lawyer, and I'll just enjoy my three-square while I'm doing my time."

Kelinor, Of course it would invovlve the mysterious pirate with access to illegal technology Camila inwardly fumed. "What do you get out of dealing with him? He has no loyalty to you or anyone unfortunate enough to be disabled and left behind. He had their ships destroyed before his cowardly retreat."

Kelinor? That name brought on flashbacks of severed hands and other horrors. Joey mentally shuddered as she did her best to push those thoughts from her mind so she could focus on the task at hand. For now, the Intelligence Chief kept quiet so their Bolian prisoner could answer Camila. If he even would. While she waited for a response, she began to think of ways to force him to talk. A truth serum would definitely do the trick, and she could have it brought to them in a matter of minutes, but was it necessary?

He scoffed. "There wasn't anyone on that ship. Don't think that we don't value life, because we do. We haven't hurt anyone, even those other convoys we raided. Take a look at the damage reports, I'm sure you have access to those. What we don't want is Starfleet interfering in our work. If you captured our ship, then who knows what you could have done just using our flight recorder."

"Yet, you're here," Camila pointed out. "Where did he get the cloaks?" she asked pointedly. "You can't seriously expect to ever see free light ever again with the way things stand now. Where are the supplies being taken to? Why is he resorting to piracy as his only option? Why are you working with him?"

"Keep in mind that you're being given the opportunity to cooperate voluntarily," the taller woman stated. "That, along with our patience, won't last long."

"Everything's available on the Black Market," the Bolian chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. "Do you have any idea how many Romulan and Klingon ships have been lost out here? Out here, there's no regulation. Starfleet can't touch us. The Dominion certainly tried. So tell me, Lieutenant Commander and Lieutenant Commander. Why should I tell you anything? Starfleet been more concerned about saving your own asses and your image that you've all forgotten that life is hard out here in the Gamma Quadrant for everyone. This colony on Gavara... let it die. Other people need what you're trying to send here. And if we can make a profit off of it, then great."

"It's shocking to hear a Federation member species speaking in such terms," Camila said. "As for saving face and our own asses, we've taken our share of hits and what do we get in return? Traitors like you. You're just like the Consortium."

The Bolian scoffed. "That's like saying all Bajorans are religious or that all Vulcans abandon emotion. We all have our lot in life and play the cards that they're dealt. My hand? Today I'm not a winner. Tomorrow's another story. As for the Consortium, that I take offense to. The Consortium wanted everyone out of the quadrant just so the Dominion could have it back. Me? I like Starfleet being here. Keeps the Dominion from watching us too closely."

"Tomorrow, you won't be a winner, either. You'll be serving some time for your crimes," Joey stated as she leaned against the wall. "I get it. Your pirates. You're out for profit. The only issue is is it's not yours to profit off of. So, what's the interest in this particular convoy?"

His dark eyes blinked twice as he looked at the brunette. "The Federation claims that it comes in peace, that it seeks to provide basic humanitarian needs across the galaxy. Yet it sends gunships and fighters alongside convoys. Not everyone has replicators, or easy access to medical supplies and construction materials."

"If it weren't for pirates like you, convoys wouldn't need escorts," Camila said. "We provide escorts, aid and relief to those we can, but even we are stretched thin after the Dominion War. When we do come to help others again, what do we find but pirates who think they can just take without consequence. Your consequences are coming." She looked at Joey. "He's not going to tell us anything, Let's get the Captain of the convoy."

Joey had planned to mention the need for escorts, but Camila beat her to it. "You're right. We're wasting our time here. I mean... this guy is a nobody, and likely has zero idea what's going on. He's a grunt. All the work with no reward," she said, casting a pity filled glance in his direction before looking back to Camila. "Here he is... sitting here... being questioned by us... about to go away for a while. Where are his comrades? Out in space, not giving a damn what happens to him as long as they're still free."

"Is that supposed to scare me?" The pirate shook his head. "I told you. I'm nice and secure on this ship. Sure, no one's coming back for me. You called me Consortium, well we have our network too. I'll get a lawyer, and I'll do my time. Because this is only a minor offense, I'll only get a few months, and I'll be back at it with more connections than I had before. All thanks to you and your Captain."

"You want connections?" Camila asked him. "Perhaps we'll drag you to Razmena to let everyone know who you are what your services can get them. I'm sure a few people there wouldn't be as accommodating as Starfleet."

The Bolian shook his head. "That's where you're wrong, Starfleet. Razmena isn't afraid of you. Or Starfleet for that matter. Doesn't mean you'd be well liked though."

"You would like to think you'll be back at it with more connections when you're eventually released, wouldn't you?" The Intelligence Chief asked. "But you know as well as I do that that won't be the case. You were captured by Starfleet. You can thank us and our Captain all you want, but that won't bode well with others with like minded... careers... out here. You'll be blacklisted. Shunned. No one will want to work with you again. Do yourself, and us, a favor... tell us what we want to know, and maybe we can help you out moving forward."

"He doesn't know anything," Camila said. However, she had the name Kelinor again and that was a fresh start. Now to come up with a way to lure the devious pirate to them. With that, she turned and headed for the exit. "Feel free to keep talking to him, but I have to see the Captain."

"Nice meeting you!" the Bolian called after the blonde Lieutenant Commander. Of course, it really wasn't that nice that he'd met her. After all, he'd be confined behind a forcefield for the next several months.

Joey watched Family's retreating form for a moment before looking back to the Bolian. This was a total waste of time, and he probably didn't know anything. He was a low man on the totem pole. "I suppose I shouldn't waste anymore of either of our time," she said. "Not unless you're feeling generous and want to part with information. It would look better to the powers that be as far as the time you'd serve if you cooperated a bit."

"I've already told you all I'm willing so say," the Bolian replied. He smiled and crossed his arms in front of him. "Just let me know when you plan to drop me off at your precious Gamma Command."

"Then, this has most definitely been a waste of my time," the Intelligence Chief said as she pushed herself away from the wall and began to walk to the exit, pausing long enough to cast one more glance in his direction. "This is your last chance for leniency by cooperating."

"You and I have different ideas about cooperating," the Bolian replied with a laugh. "You want information I'm not willing to share without a lawyer present. I want degrees of comfort that you and your precious Starfleet won't permit in public brigs."

"I want information I don't think you're privy to," Joey clarified. "As for those comforts you speak of, perhaps something could be worked out should you decide to part with something worthwhile... something that would help us out. Since you're so unwilling to do so, you'll just have to enjoy all the luxuries our brig has to offer."

The Bolian shrugged. He'd known that this would be a short conversation, and was okay with that. "In that case, can you recommend a good barber?"

Joey shook her head and turned to continue her way out of the brig. That was a complete waste of time, and if she had a feeling he knew anything, she'd be more than happy to make him talk.

Alas, their prisoner did know a few things more, though his knowledge would not have been of any use to the crew of the Black Hawk. After all, what good is there in knowing why the rum is always gone...?

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