Interrogation

Posted on 29 Nov 2015 @ 12:26am by First Lieutenant Tuula Voutilainen & Corporal Jaana Voutilainen & Jonah Chaparral M.D.

1,226 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 09 - Empires
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 4, Jonah's Quarters
Timeline: MD07 - 13:00 hours

[ON]

Jonah paced inside his cabin. He hated being stuck there, not being able to get out, not knowing what was happening. It had only been a few hours, but sill it was starting to grate on him.

He'd worked out, tried to use his computer, which was off line and made himself a small meal, a grilled cheese sandwich with the replicator and even taken a sonic shower.

Pacing would do nothing, so finally he stopped himself and sat down on the small bed, wondering where his roommate was and if they were even alive.

Through the door, Jonah could hear bickering from down the hallway. Two female voices, both with distinctive accents, getting louder and louder as they approached. Then, a couple seconds of silence before the doors opened.

It was the Voutilainen twins. Or at least, some version of them. On the left was Jaana, with her unzipped uniform, dark hair, and plenty of tattoos. On the right was silver-haired Tuula, walking slowly with the aid of her exoskeleton and walking stick, wincing with every step. Behind them were two goons, for additional security.

"Well, doctor, how are you enjoying your little house arrest?" asked Tuula, making herself at home in Jonah's quarters.

"Words could not began to describe my feelings for the hospitality of the Empire, " he said, his tone dripping with condescension.

"It's good that you are enjoying it," replied Jaana, clenching her fist. "If it's not to your satisfaction, we have plenty of room in the brig."

"I think I prefer it here, thank you all the same," came the reply with only a modicum less attitude. Do what do I owe the pleasure of your company, I doubt this is a social call. I mean it doesn't fit with what I know of the Empire, and if it is a conjugal visit, well I'm sorry, but you have the wrong body parts to be my type."

"Why you--" started Tuula, before she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"I'll handle this," replied Jaana. "It's my specialty."

With that, she stepped forward and punched Jonah in the face. Hard.

"I don't appreciate your attitude, and I don't like you, Jonah," said Janna, glaring at him. She stepped forward and grabbed him by the hand, dragging him over towards his kitchen table. "Sit!" she shouted, throwing him down into the chair. "Now, you can drop the attitude and start co-operating, or I can keep this up all day."

"You're such a brute, Jaana," whispered Tuula, shaking her head.

"Shut up, bitch."

Jonah flexed his hand and tried not to grimace as he was forced to is. His initial reaction was to come up swinging, but he knew that would be suicidal so sat in the seat, cutting his eyes between the two of them. He wasn't sure if they were playing the millennia old good cop, bad cop routine, if they genuinely hated each other, of if it was a combination of the two.

"Look," he said, "I like you and the Empire even less than I do the Federation, what is you're trying to find out. I'm just a doctor and a civilian. I don't know any ciphers or secret passwords or anything else. You're making a mistake."

"Don't play dumb with me," replied Jaana, slapping him across the face. "You have information," she shouted, reaching up to slap him again, but feeling something holding her back.

"He doesn't know," said Tuula with a smirk, holding Jaana's hand. She sat down at the table across from Jonah and looked towards him. "Our Dr. Chaparral was a brilliant scientist. He died while working on his greatest achievement: A weaponization of the Borallian plague, one that Terrans were immune to. Such a weapon would have allowed us to defend ourselves against the constant attacks of the KCA. And I see in your file you've researched the Borallian plague as well..."

Jonah hadn't been expecting things to get physical, at least not this quickly, so he'd been surprised when Jaana had slapped. His head had been turned and it had stung, but it was more shock than pain at the moment. He figured he could deal with whatever she dished out without caving.

Then Tuula spoke and the color drained from his face. Perhaps without realizing it, she had dealt him a far more damaging attack than her sister. It took almost a minute before he could reply, he was still processing what he'd heard. Not only was his counterpart dead, but they had both been working on the same virus. He had been trying to find a cure for it, he doubted his doppelganger had been doing the same.

Rubbing his cheek, more to cover his shock than because of the pain, he admitted, "I've been working on eradicating it. I don't see how I can be of much help. Even if I wanted to be."

"Don't sell yourself short, doctor," replied Tuula in a firm tone. "You know more about the Borallian plague than probably anyone in this universe. I know Starfleet has taught you that we're your merciless evil twins, but you will find that the Terran Empire treats those who can prove their worth quite well."

The smallest of smiles curled at he corner of Jonah's lips. He was a nonconformist by nature, which is why he was a civilian. He often questioned Star Fleet's methods, even their motivation. One thing he was not was a traitor.

However he saw no reason why he couldn't play along somewhat. At least buy himself some time. "How well is quite well?" he asked.

"Everything is relative," replied Jaana. "You'll be treated a lot better than if you don't cooperate."

"I suppose that is something, " he replied dryly, "and how long do I have to make up my mind?"

Jaana smacked him upside the head, hard at that response. "The sooner, the better. For your sake."

Jonah's head snapped around and his cheek stung. "I see, " he said dryly, "Well then how does fuck you and the entire Empire sound?"

With that, Jaana burst into a fit of rage. Kicking the chair out from under Jonah, she sent him falling to the floor. She leaned over and pummeled him with her fists. "Fuck me? Fuck the empire? Fuck you!" she exclaimed as she kicked him hard in the ribs.

"Stop it!" shouted Tuula after a couple minutes of beatings and profanities. While she didn't sympathize with Jonah, she knew that he wouldn't be much help to anyone if Jaana continued.

Jaana paused and glared at her sister.

"I have more important things to do than watch you beat people," replied Tuula. "Lets give him some time to reconsider."

Jaana kicked Jonah in the ribs once more. "I hope you'll change your mind," she added, "for your sake."

Jonah had curled himself into a fetal position to try to fend off the blows but found himself lost in a haze of pain. He regretted his smart mouth, but was grateful when Janna stopped.

He lay there on the floor long after the two women had left.

Fini

A joint post by
Dr. Jonah Chaparral
PNPC Jared Nicholas

First Lieutenant Tuula Voutilainen
Chief Medical Officer
ISS Galileo
NPC Tuula

Corporal Jaana Voutilainen
Security Officer
ISS Galileo
NPC Tuula

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