Fool's Errand

Posted on 02 Aug 2016 @ 3:59am by Commodore Harvey Geisler & Lieutenant Commander Camila Di Pasquale & Lieutenant Commander Joey Geisler
Edited on on 05 Aug 2016 @ 6:58pm

1,997 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Risky Business
Location: Isolation Brig
Timeline: MD 6 || 1230 hours

His crew had wasted no time in bringing the Chimera's and Cochrane's senior staff aboard. Harvey waited impatiently for medical to finish their work, reviving them and restoring their hearing. It wasn't a perfect restoration, but it would have to do.

Accompanied by Warrant Officer Tanika and a security detail, Harvey entered the brig. Two cells were side by side. The Captain of the Cochrane was in one cell, and the senior-most officer from the Chimera, a Marine Major, was in the other.

Marine Major Carter Jackson sat on the bed behind the forcefield eyeing Captain Geisler when he entered. What he wouldn't give to have the man step on his side of the forcefield so he could show him exactly what happened to traitors. He'd been disarmed at some point, but he wasn't sure by who. As a matter of fact, he wasn't even sure how he got to be in the brig of the Black Hawk. The last thing he remembered was receiving word there was an intruder on the Chimera while battling the fighter squadron.

He rose to his feet, ignoring the pain that seared through his body along with the ringing in his ears. "Let's forego the pleasantries, Captain," the Major snarled. "Why don't you tell me how I got here? And, perhaps add a name or two in there. It will make watching the life fade from them even sweeter once I get out of here."

Harvey eyed Jackson for a moment. It wasn't the first time he'd seen a rough-and-tough Marine, nor was he intimidated by the man. He then looked at the other cell to see Captain Kylar. The man hadn't yet said a word. Harvey was not bothered by this as the Bajoran man's time would come.

Looking back to the Marine, Harvey kept a straight face. A glance at the man's collar and chest informed him that he'd already been stripped of his oak leaf and combadge. Normally, all that was required was the badge, but Harvey knew these two men were Consortium Agents and unworthy to bear their rank while imprisoned. As far as he was concerned, the moment they changed sides was the moment they betrayed Starfleet and their rank.

And betrayal was something Harvey did not appreciate.

"Captain Suresh," Harvey asked calmly, refusing to answer either of the man's questions. "Where is she?"

"Why would I want to answer your question when you haven't even bothered to answer mine?" Jackson asked.

Harvey took two steps towards the forcefield and answered, "Because you, you Consortium son of a bitch, attacked us from behind and killed my crew. That, of course, was after you and your colleagues betrayed the Federation. How's that for an answer, Jackson?"

A slow smile spread on Jackson's lips. This was what he wanted. He wanted the Captain angry. "Not the one I was looking for, but then, I wouldn't expect anything less from a coward. You're on the wrong side of the fence, Captain, but you'll find that out soon enough," he said, turning his back to Harvey and moving back over to the bed to settle down once again. "I have nothing else to say to you. Unless... you want to come in here and make me talk."

"Rot in hell," Harvey muttered. He left Jackson to his own vices and moved over to the other cell. "Your turn, Kylar. Where's Suresh?"

The Bajoran Captain looked at the human Captain as if he were an insignificant bug. "You humans. Always wanting everything handed to you. Never seeking the answers for yourselves. You can't get it from one person, you try to get it from another. How would I know where Suresh is? Did you see me on the bridge of the Chimera or did you feel my response while you were wandering blindly through the nebula like a mewling infant?"

Harvey narrowed his eyes. He was smart to think that this wouldn't be easy at all, but he was actually starting to think this was impossible. "I can already assume you fared better than us in this nebula," Harvey replied. "After all, Captain Suresh and several members of both ships are missing. So, let me ask a different question. Where's the Valdore?"

Kylar looked down his ridged nose at the Captain of the Black Hawk. "Oh dear me, you're missing crew and now you've lost your toy? You silly Starfleet Captains. So soft. So forgetful. Next I suppose you'll be asking me where your woman is, if one would lower themselves to be with you."

If Harvey were to narrow his eyes further, they would be closed. "What the hell is matter with you people?" he demanded, glancing over at Jackson as he nearly shouted the question. "In what frame of mind does using a Thalaron weapon actually sound like a good idea? Why the hell are you even wearing that uniform?"

"You're on the wrong side, Captain," Kylar sneered. "You want to know why pity is treason? It's because of beings like you. Small minded. Worthless. Weak. Unwilling to take what you could have. Simpering at tables and whining about diplomacy and free trade. My people survived under the Cardassians for decades and we didn't whine! We fought them every step of the way! What do you humans do? You whine. You negotiate. You die and for what? Nothing! You won't be around to see the end of the day, and I'll be laughing as you scream before you die."

From his cell, Jackson actually laughed. "You've got cajones, Furell, and I can appreciate that." He looked to Captain Geisler, and gestured to the cell next to his. "It's just as he said, Captain. Your questions don't matter, because you're all going to die."

Harvey approached the forcefield to look the Bajoran in the eye. "What we do is what separates us from the Cardassians and people like you. We fight for freedom for oppression, and that is a cause I'll be happy to die for. I'll do whatever it takes to keep scum like you out of power."

"Is that so?" Kylar asked. "Is that why you're being a man and speaking from the other side of the force field, Geisler? You talk of freedom, yet your Admirals and higher ups are all cowering while you risk the lives of your personnel. You're a slave and don't even know it."

Behind Harvey, Warrant Officer Tanika's mind felt every iota of tension in the room. Both of the men behind the forcefield were filled with indescribable rage and anger. This was her first encounter with the Consortium, and already she was feeling overwhelmed. What she didn't understand was why she was here. Both men were clearly Consortium and she didn't need to prove that to Captain Geisler. Still, she mentally prodded the Captain, advising him that he should probably back off.

Harvey didn't heed the warning. "And just who exactly do you do your bidding for? Terlexa's sitting pretty on Deep Space 11 while you were sent on this errand. Looks like you're no different."

"I serve no one but myself," Kylar said.

Jackson, who was still wearing a smug smile, turned his gaze to Harvey. "How's the bitch from Security you sent over to the Chimera, Captain?" Oh, he was sure the Black Hawk's Captain was under the impression he didn't actually know how many people were sent over, or that she was female. In fact, in the beginning of this meeting, he was toying with Harvey. Though, he didn't have a name. "I can only hope that the explosion got her before the forcefields went up."

Harvey was about to call out Kylar when Jackson interjected. Leaving the Bajoran's cell, Harvey moved to stand in front of Jackson's. "There are no bitches on the Black Hawk, you traitorous piece of shit." In his own anger, Harvey actually managed to smile. "At least she took you all out single-handed. How's it feel, Marine? To be beat by a woman?"

If Harvey managed to ruffle Jackson's feathers, he was doing an excellent job of hiding it. He rose to his feet once again and moved to the forcefield where the only barrier between the two men was the forcefield. "Maybe you want to tell me her name now. We could use someone like her on our side." A slow, predator's smile formed. "Then when she's done our bidding... we can use her for other... purposes."

The Captain lunged at the man, only to be stopped by the forcefield. Evidently, it wasn't just to keep someone secure on the inside. Harvey staggered back, thankful the field did little more damage than a bulkhead would have. The damage to Harvey's emotional state, however, would take longer to heal.

Kylar laughed. "Look Jackson! The dog is trying to attack; I guess he does have a bitch after all. Here I thought he didn't have what it took to lure a woman his way."

"And he's feeling a little froggy. If you want to jump, Captain, lower the forcefield," Jackson said, still standing in the same spot. "Did I hit a nerve, Geisler? Is the future slut of the Consortium your other half?"

With narrowed eyes, Harvey stared at Jackson for a moment, then looked over towards the Bajoran in the nearby cell. His own anger continued to mount, and thankfully he the voice of his conscience continued to speak above the torrential waves of emotion. Darting a glance of anger at the green-collared human, Harvey clutched the hem of his jacket and pulled it downward to straighten out his uniform. He was done here. "I look forward to your court martials," he said through gritted teeth, though part of him just wanted to lower the forcefields and beat Starfleet to the punch.

"Go and lick your wounds now. We'll be here if you're feeling up for another round," Jackson said with a twisted smile before he turned and moved back to the bed. "When you see her, though... and I'm sure you will... make sure to let her know I'm looking forward to meeting her."

"Court martials? Is that all you have Geisler?" Kylar snorted. "Maybe you should send the bitch down here to interrogate us. Your techniques suck more than I bet she does."

Harvey turned towards the door, gesturing for security and the Betazoid Administrative Officer to follow him. It opened and Harvey paused in the doorway for a moment. He turned and simply said, "Thank you." Then he left the room with his entourage in tow.

Kylar laughed when the Starfleet Captain left the brig and looked at Jackson. "Next step is getting out of here. They'll have to move us at some point and I'm going to be ready."

Jackson watched as Captain Geisler and his entourage filed out. Oh, but that was almost too easy. He still didn't get the answers he wanted, but they'd managed to get a rise out of him. It was a mission well accomplished. "As will I, Kylar... as will I," he said with a smile on his face.

As soon as the doors closed, Harvey turned to the seemingly nervous Betazoid. And, as angry as he was, he managed to calm himself down a bit. "I suppose you think it was foolish, what just happened in there?"

"Frankly, Captain," Janell replied, "that was nothing more than a fool's errand."

Harvey shook his head in disagreement. "Commodore O'Connell informed me that you haven't had a formal encounter with a Consortium operative. I just gave you one. Now that you know the different emotions from friend and foe, it's time for the real test."

Without waiting for her to reply, Harvey set off down the hall for his next destination, the cells of the Senior Staffs of the Chimera and Cochrane.

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