Ladies of Circumstance

Posted on 15 Dec 2015 @ 7:04am by Ambassador Olenna Mirok & Commodore Elsie Halliwell

1,228 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 09 - Empires
Location: Various Locations
Timeline: Just prior to MD1, Ep 10

ON:

IRW Hiren

Olenna paced feverishly, the length of her office. 'What could possibly be taking so long?' She thought.

Her floor length gown billowed behind her as she made for her desk. She slammed her fist down on the intercom controls, "Miyna, has the Hevam Commodore initiated contact yet?"

The younger Romulan merely shook her head.

"I'm tired of this low level work. 'Never ask a Page, if an Viiceroy can get you better results.' That's what my father always said, and I'm begining to think it wasn't all hot air afterall."

The Ambassador resumed her pacing, "Attempt contact with Halliwell. If we can't get the answers we need, I want a direct link to the Federation Council."

Miyna made a small attempt at a smile. "As you wish my Lady."

Bridge - USS Priam

"We're entering the Nimbus sector, sir," came the ensign from helm as he read directly from the display.

"Drop out of warp," Halliwell indicated, "and locate the ambassador's ship. Make directly for it."

It was odd for the commodore to be back in space again, and in command of the familiar Intrepid class vessel. The comfortable grey seats fit her posterior exactly as she remembered and the low, dull ache that used to niggle her had returned to her lumber. She looked at the command console to her left and read the space about her.

"The Hiren is not on sensors, Commodore," came Ops as Halliwell pursed her aging lips together. "But they may be cloaked."

"I imagine that they are," Elsie replied with a stern gaze. Behind her, the communications' trill resounded from the Ops station to her rear left as her brow flicked up with interest. "Speak of the devil."

"A communique from the Hiren, Commodore," the Ops lieutenant commented needlessly.

"Open a channel."

IRW Hiren

Miyna arrived at the Ambassador's office with good news.

"My Lady, a federation ship has dropped out of Warp in the sector."

"The Galileo?" Olenna asked.

"No ma'am, Commodore Halliwell's ship. She wishes to speak." The Young woman said, in a peaceful tone.

"Put her through." Said Olenna. The level of annoyance clear in her voice.

Miyna tapped a few controls and the Wall-mounted viewscreen came to life with the image of Halliwell.

"Commodore, good news I hope." said Olenna, the venom apparent in her tones.

"I was about to ask you the same question," Halliwell replied flatly. "But the reason I have left the Sol system and made my way out here is because I have been unable to locate the Galileo's Starfleet synchronicity ping. The last time it registered with any Starfleet vessel or communications array was a few hours before your rendezvous. And that has me worried. It's not common for any of our ships to go off-grid, especially an advanced science vessel such as the Nova. I would appreciate it if you would beam aboard the Priam. Hopefully we can then work out what has happened to my ship and why it's delayed your meeting."

"My handmaiden will accompany me." Olenna said, her tone a herald to her ancient Vulcan ancestors.

"I'll have my transporter room beam you over momentarily."

"Good then, and should I expect to be transferring to Galileo from your ship?"

"Once we locate the Galileo," Halliwell replied with a lilt of doubt in her voice, "then of course. I'll transport you myself, but until then it's best that we coordinate efforts from here."

Without a word, Olenna terminated the channel and made her quick preparations to transport.

Deck Four, Transporter Room 2, USS Priam

The blue hue of the transporter arc dissipated and, although she usually didn't attend such logistical transfers Halliwell thought, with the Ambassador's temperament, that she'd grease the way with a little courtesy. "Welcome to the Priam, Ambassador," she said as she walked up to the pad. "If you'll follow me, I shall take you to my ready room where we can discuss this enigma further."

The Romulan, dressed in Ceremonial Robes and adorned with all her significant jewels, stood tall on the pad. She smirked as Miyna helped her down from the platform. Not that she required the help. But it was a show of power, to say 'I'm not required to strain myself.'

With her handmaiden in tow, She accompanied Haliwell.

Deck One, Captain's Ready Room

As Halliwell sat down, the ship's yeoman deposited a vessel of iced water between the two and two tumblers. Halliwell offered the Romulan a glass before pouring her own. She decided to get straight to the crux of the matter.

The Romulan refused and sat. Attempts had been made on her life with far less than a glass of water.

"In all honesty, I have no more idea where the Galileo is now than when we first spoke, Ambassador. Her disappearance is not only perplexing but also rather worrying. We don't, as a rule, misplace our military vessels. If you could offer me any data from your own ship with regards to any communication you have had with Starfleet or the Galileo then hopefully we can devise a plan to locate and transport you to her."

Olenna made a small nod to Miyna, who sent a message to Hiren to transfer the data.

"Do any of you ship's carry a cloak?" Olenna asked in a very accusatory tone.

"Only the one you know of," Halliwell replied, her eyes remaining on the Romulan. She paused and then considered the fallout from the question that had just formed in her mind. She cocked her head to one side and added, "Do you suspect that, despite your appointment as an observer, Starfleet is withholding information from you?"

She hadn't originally suspected they were withholding information, but now she wan't so sure . " I see." was her response. The Romulan stood. she pushed a stray piece of stray hair from her face. "I have given a lot to take this posting Commodore, and yet can still receive no answers as to why I am not aboard my post." She turned her back on Halliwell.

Halliwell's eyes narrowed on the ambassador. "I'm trying to help you establish that, Ambassador, but I can see that working together isn't the best of ideas. I'm sorry to have brought you over to my ship. I really am trying to facilitate you in discovering where my ship is!"

The ambassador snapped around towards the Commodore. "Do you understand the precarious political situation in this Quadrant, Commodore? I am merely trying to do my part to pursue peace, but it seems that once again the mighty Federation has one blunder after another." she lowered her voice to a near whisper, "Losing a starship, I mean really?"

The comm beeped as Halliwell opened her mouth to rebut.

"Ma'am we require more sensor power to attempt to locate Galileo . We are rerouting to Jupiter Station for use of their sensor net." The squeaky voice of a Young officer came.

"Finally a step towards a solution."Olenna said with a smirk.

:OFF

Ambassador Olenna Mirok
The Black Lady Of Mhiessan

Commodore Elsie Halliwell
Task Force 21 Logistics Coordinator
Starfleet Command Headquarters

RSS Feed