Sureties - Part Three

Posted on Mon Feb 28th, 2022 @ 7:16pm by Master Chief Petty Officer of Starfleet Nick Castle & Rae Sloane & Master Admiral Pasha Andreyev

Mission: Mission 114: Be All My Sins Remember'd
Location: Various Locations - Starfleet Command, Earth - SOL
Timeline: 1230Hrs - October 28th, 2393

Master Admiral Pasha Andreyev Duval was sitting behind his desk. With his right hand resting gently over his face. He tried in vain to soothe an incoming stress headache. "Fuck, I hate these things..." he growled ever so softly.

"Rough morning Admiral?" Fleet Admiral Rae Sloane inquired of him. She knew exactly what a 'rough' morning looked like. This was why Andreyev tended to let Slone away whenever she made comments like that. Andreyev knew that this woman was on the last few months of her time in Starfleet. She had dropped her retirement paperwork a week earlier and now her replacement had been found and approved.

Andreyev also didn't smile either. Something that was slowly becoming rarer and rarer on Andreyev's face these days. Andreyev knew why this was the case. It was the building issues with the Tholians who were becoming more and more belligerent. War was coming and he wanted the best people to prepare to face this oncoming threat head-on. The present situation brewing with Grand Admiral Lu'Pal who had also dropped her retirement paperwork a month earlier had also forced Andreyev to move more people around. "Where are we with this meeting, anyway?" he asked in his usual gentle tones.

"It'll be another couple of minutes." This voice belonged to Nick Castle who was the senior enlisted man in the Starfleet. The was the present Master Chief Petty Officer for all of Starfleet. His posting reflected this. "The com centre is working on getting the connection for us," he added.

Suddenly the screen lit up with the face of an official of the Halanan government. He looked like he was sitting in what looked like was a standard office space, which had the usual layout of a table and an office. He regarded Andeyev in silence as Pasha introduced himself and then he explained why he was contacting this official on this particular day.

The official regarded Andreyev as he shook his head. "I'm afraid that we have our own cure and the matter is well in hand for us," he commented with a flat tone of voice. "We do not require any further assistance on this matter."

Andreyev sat in stunned silence as this was all news to him. He had no idea of this particular detail. He regarded the official in silence. Andreyev regarded the other man on the screen as he was sure that this man was only a puppet and every word that he said, was a complete and total lie.

Rae Sloane raised an eyebrow. "With respect," she commented in a flat tone of voice. "We were told that you had no idea of how to make this cure... and that your government was getting desperate..." she explained. "The fact that you have a cure is news to us..."

"A false sense of security. No doubt." the official answered, in a tone that sounded like he did not care what he was hearing. Only what he was saying. "We do not require any further efforts to be expended on this matter." he paused as he regarded Andreyev directly. "However. I feel I should thank you for all of your efforts on our behalf. But we have this matter well in hand."

Andreyev held his silence for a moment. "I see..." he commented. "Can we send you the cure we made?... For your records of course..."

"No, that's not necessary or appropriate." the official answered with his soft, syrupy tone of voice. "As I said, we do not require your assistance any further with this matter."

Well, it's disappointing that you aren't willing to share your cure with us." Andreyev answered quietly. "I will relay your explanation... To the council."

"Admiral... We do not need to cause issues... But if you do that... We will have to withdraw from the Federation... We wish to be left alone and we should not have to answer to anyone else on how we do things." the official explained.

Andreyev slowly blinked but otherwise didn't react. "Oh, as I said. This is all very disappointing. I had hoped we could work together and resolve the matter at hand."

"You need not feel unhappy. We simply do not require your assistance to resolve the matter between us." the official explained with a smile. "I will inform my government of your work to assist our cause." he paused. "But you need not worry about the matter. We do appreciate your efforts taken on our behalf Admiral."

Andreyev knew he would get nowhere as he nodded. He wasn't the type who was known for backing down, but in this case, he knew he needed to find out what was going on here with regards to this cure but via alternate methods. "I understand. This message ends now." and with that. Andreyev turned off the com systems display.

Rae Sloane regarded Andreyev as she waited for her orders. "I want this entire conversation taken apart and looked at... and I want to know what the hell the Halanan government is up to." he regarded Sloane. "Contact Starbase Vanguard... They need to know all about this."

"Aye Admiral," Sloane answered with a nod.