What to do with Cortez (Backpost)

Posted on 29 Jul 2018 @ 10:11pm by Captain Akio Tachibana & Lieutenant Junior Grade Eira Cortez & Lieutenant Harry Stevens

Mission: Ne Me'e Laua Na Paio - Heroes & Villains
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: 1100, 14 Jan 2389

Before the search for the Gorn Doctor could begin in earnest, Harry had one thing on his mind and that was the ship's resident spook Lieutenant Junior Grade Eira Cortez. Now here he was on his way to see the Captain about that very issue and what the consequences of her actions was going to cost her or come to think of it both of them. He stood outside the captain’s ready room and pressed the door chime as the hum of the consoles on the bridge hummed with Life.

"Enter!" Akio ordered.

As he strode into the room and came to a halt, Harry said, ”Sir, I have come to see you regarding Lieutenant Cortez,” as he knew this was a matter that only the Captain could deal with although being implicated in the mess with the Gorn Doctor hadn’t sat well with him and the question remained what was the reason to unseat their commanding officer?

"Yes? Have you concluded your investigation?" Akio asked, putting down the PADD he had been holding.

“Not yet sir,” replied Harry as he motioned for Lady Sif to lay down and rest her paws, He continued, "the reason I am asking Sir is that we believe that we might need her skill set to open forbidden stuff,” as he knew how this could look. He finished, "Cassidy is still going through the timeline when she was contacted and the same for the Gorn Doctor,”

"Open forbidden stuff?" Akio asked, a bit confused.

“Yes Sir, what I mean is intelligence related,” replied Harry knowing full well that what they had on the storage device that Harry had on him needed to be opened by an intelligence officer, although he was one himself, he could not reveal it just yet.

"Well, certainly Lieutenant Cortez is not our only intelligence officer. I seem to recall we have an Ensign Michaels in that department as well?" Akio asked slowly while jogging his own memory, "Although I have not met him yet..." he added.

"I know that Sir," replied Harry looking back at the Captain, but he knew that someone like himself who had come out of the Academy found their first assignment daunting and be thrust into a situation like this was difficult enough for them.

“Sir, May I ask a question,” as he wanted to know why would someone want to unseat him from the command of his ship. He asked, "Sir, Do you have any idea as to who would want you out of the command of this vessel?” as he knew that this was what it had all been for.

Akio paused, unsure how to answer such a question to a junior officer. Stevens was an Ensign and quite new to Starfleet and its politics. Oh, how naive and innocent, Akio thought as he briefly flashed back to his days as an ensign aboard the Ole Miss.

"Well, I would say Captain Carson, yet as we know he is dead. Other than that, not really," Akio answered truthfully.

It was a loaded question, yet every CO knew the world of politics. Everyone made a judgment about everyone else and there was no shortage of rumors and snide remarks in the command community about a Sovereign-class being commanded by a Lieutenant Commander, a feat not seen since the Dominion War.

"So who else might have it in for you Sir?" asked Harry as he continued, "As all this was set up to get rid of you Sir," as he looked back at his commanding officer. He finished," So what do I do about Cortez?"

"Good question, Ensign," Akio replied, using rank to stress the importance of what was to follow. "As you move up higher in rank, you will come to understand that there is a certain semblance of politics at play. I fear that may be what Captain Carson was involved with."

Akio decided to cut his reply short there. Part of having a Security Department was ensuring a bias-free and untainted investigation. Unlawful Command Influence was another road to swift relief of command, which would be ironic in this case. While Akio was very troubled by a senior officer trying to unseat him, he had voiced his concerns to Task Force Command and they promoted him in the mean time, presumably to send a message to whomever wanted Akio relieved. Beyond that, Akio could not dictate the hunting of such plots as it was not his place.

"As for Cortez," Akio continued after pausing while glancing at the ceiling in thought. "I am largely bound by your investigation's findings. Her actions in siding with Captain Carson would seem to be out-of-line with the UCMJ. Yet, until you conclude your investigation, I cannot take action and her confinement will continue due to her danger to the crew along with good order and discipline."

"Sir, As Chief of Security I am willing to be responsible for her whilst she is helping us,” as Harry looked back at the Captain, “ I know that I am asking a lot sir, but I do need her expertise in these matters,” as he knew that what he was asking of the Captain was a lot and for an Ensign to do so was huge.

"How will she aid your investigation more so than another intelligence officer such as Ensign Michaels?" Akio asked.

"Her experience Sir, it would be valuable to us,” he said looking back at him, He continued,” Also sir, It might help her relax and open up about her part in all of this,” as he knew that she was brooding in the brig which wasn’t helping her one bit.

Akio sipped his tea as he pondered what the Ensign was asking.

"So you are asking me to release her from pre-trial confinement to assist with the investigation?" Akio asked, trying to pin down exactly what Stevens was asking. "She would go back to the brig when not working with you?"

“It would look good for her Sir that she was cooperating with us,” replied Harry looking back at the Captain, He continued, “ If it means her having to stay with me Sir Then I am willing to take the job,” as he knew that after helping them and being put back in a cell might make her reconsider helping them.

Akio listened carefully as thoughts raced through his mind. It would be quite a mitigation if Cortez cooperated, and if the Ensign felt like she would follow through... "I understand the cooperation aspect, yet if that is the case, why not return her to the brig after her duties are completed? Would the brig not serve as an incentive to cooperate?" Akio inquired.

"Sir, if it means that I have to take the responsibility for her then I will," replied Harry putting his neck on the line for Cortez, he knew that by keeping her in the brig would make her feel like she was being used as a tool and not a member of the crew.

Akio sensed the nervousness of Stevens. "I understand you're taking responsibility, Ensign. Yet I am confused. What benefit is there for her staying with you? If anything, your quarters are less secure than the brig," Akio relayed his concerns.

"I have a tag Sir that emits a sound that only dogs can hear," replied Harry looking back at the Captain, he continued," and if she tries to escape Sif will let me know," as Sif raised her ears in response to her name being used.

"So you have alleviated me of the security concerns. And the benefit? You would not be inclined to be romantically involved with Ms. Cortez? Because that would be a clear violation of your duties and impartiality," Akio stopped beating around the bush.

"Sir, if by some chance I do become romantically involved with her," replied Harry looking back at his captain, he continued "would be after the investigation is over ," as he kept his gaze upon his commanding officer.

"Be sure of that or that single pip will not be the only thing you lose," Akio said, briefly pointing to Harry's collar. "You still have not answered my question about how Cortez being in your custody while off duty is going to be a benefit. Does it truly matter where she spends her off-duty time while under investigation?"

"Sir, it does if you want me to keep an eye on her," replied Harry looking back at Akio, he continued," we need to be sure that she is not still in touch with those plotting against you," as he could not trust her just yet.

"Very well. If there is even an inkling or perception of further misconduct," Akio paused in an attempt to carefully word what he was going to say next, "You will wish the officer investigating your downfall will be as sloppy as you. I am trusting you Ensign. Do not abuse it."

Harry tapped his combadge and spoke calmly =/\= Ensign Williamson, please bring Lieutenant Cortez to the Captain's ready room=/\= as he waited for a response from the ensign.

While Harry was arranging for Cortez to arrive Akio tapped at his terminal for a bit.

"On deck 12 in the diplomatic area, there are guest quarters with two bedrooms. I am moving you to one of those suites," Akio directed, ensuring no funny business was going to happen.

"Fair enough Sir, as long as Sif and have a sniff around first to get used to the place," replied Harry, he continued, "and that is both bedrooms," as he knew that Cortez was only going to limited access to the terminal to do her work, other than that that would be fine.

"I would be more concerned if you did not," Akio replied.

=Brig=

=/\= Williamson here, will do Sir, =/\= replied Adam as he tapped the code to the Lieutenant's cell and turned to the her, "Right. No tricks or you will be back in here quick as a rabbit" as he held his weapon out at Cortez.

Eira stood up and held her hands up defensively. "There's no need for the weapon, Ensign. I'm not dangerous, and I'm not going to do anything to hurt anyone, nor would I. Why would I have a reason to?"

"Sorry ma'am, I am not taking any chances," replied Adam as he watched her exit the cell, he continued, "Until otherwise, you will be escorted this way"

"Uh huh, right." She responded and followed the Ensign. Her guess was that she was headed to see the security chief and/or the Captain, and Eira had to get her story sorted out beforehand, "Do you mind if I know where I'm being escorted to?"

"You are to be escorted to See the Captain and the Security Chief," replied Adam looking at her, "Now move," he said, as he waved the weapon at her.

-=Captain's Ready Room - Deck 1=-

Akio nodded to the Security Guard and waved Cortez in to stand in front of the desk.

"Captain Tachibana." Cortez nodded respectfully and clasped her hands behind her back. A glance around the room made her realize there was another person in the room but he was dressed in yellow. Clearly this guy was Security. "Ensign." again, a respectful nod.

"Lieutenant Junior Grade Eira Cortez, while the investigation is still pending on your conduct during the violation of Starfleet regulations when Captain Carson attempted to remove me from command during which you pointed a weapon at superior officers, new evidence has come to light that you may have been blackmailed. For those reasons, and pending the full investigation, I have determined that you are not currently a threat to the crew," Akio paused.

He didn't like this sort of business and was glad there was some logic behind Cortez's actions. While some had called the Wyoming's actions a mutiny and some wondered if it was even a conflict of interest for Akio to oversee actions stemming from that incident, it was his vessel and technically they were underway when it happened, meaning he was the proper convening authority.

"Based on the recommendations of Ensign Stevens, the Chief Tactical & Security Officer, you will be released from the brig; however, will remain restricted to quarters on a supervised basis under the purview of Ensign Stevens. While you technically outrank him, you are in his custody as the senior law enforcement agent aboard. Due to the difference in genders and to allow you some semblance of privacy during this arrangement, both of you will be temporarily quartered in one of the two-bedroom diplomatic suites on Deck 12. Do you understand?" Akio asked, looking into Cortez's eyes.

"I do, sir." So the security guys surname was Stevens. This was going to be fun. "I want to apologize for my actions during the meeting with Captain Carson and his crew too. I'm guessing you're aware of the PaDD I gave to Lieutenant Cassidy and the contents contained within it?"

"I have been made aware. I understand your motivations and am glad you eventually told us. In the future, please let us know sooner. A crew is like family," Akio softened his tone.

"Don't go giving her ideas Sir" replied Harry giving him a smile as he knew now that they were living together all but in separate bedrooms, he wondered could this lead to something else, after all he had just put his neck on the line for her.

Eira shot Harry a short glare before returning to look at the Captain, "I apologize again, sir, but I do thank you for the trust, however slight it must be." She'd only been in the room with the security chief for this meeting and already felt as though things were going to get off to a start on the wrong foot. Question was, how was it going to be living in the same quarters together?

Akio's eyes momentarily squinted at Harry the same time Cortez glared at him. His hope was to convey that the two were like siblings, especially after the previous warning.

"Dismissed," was all Akio said.

OFF:

Akio Tachibana, CAPT, SF
CO

Eira Cortez, LTJG, SF
INT

Harry Stevens, ENS, SF
TACSEC