SFI Debriefing

Posted on Fri Jun 9th, 2023 @ 6:20am by Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Lieutenant Commander Rhiana t'Aegis
Edited on on Fri Jun 9th, 2023 @ 6:21am

3,056 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: Prelude to Rebirth
Location: San Francisco Bay, Earth
Timeline: September 2, 2395

[ON]

Starfleet Intelligence has no known offices anywhere on Earth. A search of public databases reveals no locations anywhere in known Federation space. Rumors floating around the fleet say that when Starfleet Intelligence wants to meet with you, they find you. They are everywhere.

As with any rumor, a kernel of truth is often hidden in the obfuscation. Special Agent Kelvin Witt and his partner, Special Agent Angela Rojas, had arranged to meet with Commander Rhiana t'Aegis concerning the most recent escapades of the USS Firebird.

"This is the most outrageous file I've ever read," Agent Witt said. "I mean, how in the world did she even get into Starfleet?"

Agent Rojas sighed. She was at least ten years older than Agent Witt and had been on the job for eight years more than him. "She's a former Romulan Navy Officer and had special information. Part of her residency agreement was that she would be allowed to enter Starfleet. I'm sure whoever authorized that is regretting doing so, considering that she and her ward," she paused to look at a different part of the file. "Xavi, nearly caused a premature war with the Romulan Empire."

Agent Witt leaned back against the wall. Somewhere nearby he could hear the sound of water crashing against rocks. "And the file on the Firebird is almost as disturbing. You'd think they were the Enterprise or something with all the craziness they've been involved with."

Agent Rojas stood up, stretching. "Yeah, but I've spoken with Commander Han and she attests to their general competence and trustworthiness. She's got a hell of a reputation after digging out the actions of her former boss. That could really have gone sideways."

"I suppose," Witt said and stood up. He didn't like Rojas looming over him. He turned and looked around the cave. It was about the size of a Captain's Ready Room. It had two entrances. One came in from a path that lead down from the cliff. The other opened out onto San Francisco Bay. It also had a steep drop of over one hundred feet to jagged rocks below. The two agents each had a PADD, their identification, and their weapons. Commander t'Aegis was due to arrive at any moment.

The two agents did not have to wait for much longer. Moments later, she entered the cave from the path. After a cursory glance around to gauge the situation inside the cave, she stood at attention. "Lieutenant Commander Rhiana t'Aegis, reporting as ordered." When in doubt, Rhiana found it best to fall back on basic soldier attitudes. No one could be faulted for too much adherence to protocol, after all.

She was unarmed and merely carried a small PADD in the thigh pocket of her uniform trousers. The uniform was almost perfect, if not for a fine layer of dust and sand on her usually (figuratively speaking) spit-shined boots. That was unfortunate, but also unavoidable given the meeting location.

The two agents turned so they were both facing the subject. "Thank you, Commander. You can relax. This is a more informal meeting than perhaps you were expecting. I'm Agent Rojas and this is Agent Witt," Rojas said, gesturing toward Witt. "We've been assigned to your case by Starfleet Intelligence. I thought it best to arrange to talk well away from anywhere we would be seen. This cave is easy to find if you know where it is but we usually use holographic projectors to mask the path. Our first order of business is to ensure that you haven't been followed to this meeting. Did you conduct a proper surveillance detection route?"

Agent Witt simply stood, watching Commander t'Aegis, trying to find anything that would be helpful.

Instead of fully relaxing, Rhiana changed into the 'at ease' position, once again opting for a safe stance that would hopefully tell them as little as possible. Which in itself was probably saying a lot already. She also kept her face carefully neutral, even at the question about having used a surveillance detection route. She bit down on a sarcastic remark and merely nodded. "Of course, Agent Rojas." She did not tell them that she had left some instructions in the non-electronic format in her quarters, to be found by Xavi in the event of her not returning from this meeting.

"Good," Agent Rojas said and then paused, trying to decide how to play this. Her superiors had given her a lot of leeway with the possible outcome of the meeting. At the end of their talk, Commander t'Aegis might walk free but she also might be taken in for more formal questioning.

"We'd like to explore the recent circumstances that occurred in Romulan space. But first, we'd like you to give us a briefing on your ward, Xavi. We would like you to be as thorough as possible. We will be recording for future reference."

"I first encountered Xavi on the planet Far Wanderer in July 2394 after we had to evacuate the USS Firebird following an attack in the vicinity of that world," Rhiana began without any sign of annoyance or impatience at such a request. She spoke without emotion, sticking to facts, certain that these agents had the contents of the reports the crew had had to file in the aftermath of those particular events memorised. "Several years prior, Xavi and his mother had crash-landed a shuttle on that planet. They were rescued by a village of so-called 'Techlons' under the leadership of Captain T'por who has since returned to Vulcan. Xavi's mother died and Captain T'por assumed guardianship of the boy. He was the only Romulan on the planet and used the still functioning databanks of the shuttle to educate himself. In addition to that, he was also receiving the same training as the other youths of the village. When we left Far Wanderer, we offered to the Techlons to return to the Federation with us. I invited Xavi to stay with me. In the past year, he has received formal education according to the Federation curriculum including remedial teaching in all fields where his knowledge was insufficient. He is seventeen years old now and has just begun the final year of secondary education, while still receiving additional lessons to enable him to graduate with the rest of his peers."

Rhiana took a breath before she continued with the part that was the reason she had been called here today. "Xavi is a cousin of Sela. As such, he became important in the eyes of certain factions of what is left of the Romulan Empire. He was abducted by the Tal Shiar to put pressure on Sela."

Agent Witt frowned, crossing his arms. "And you then convinced Captain Llwyedd to race off to rescue Xavi, didn't you? I mean, after all, you more than anyone know the Tal Shiar and how they operate, right?"

"I know to a certain extent how the Tal Shiar operates, Agent Witt," Rhiana replied without moving her head, still looking straight ahead. "Which is why I requested to be allowed to pursue this matter on my own, without implicating the USS Firebird and her crew. Captain Llwyedd denied my request." Not only that. He had knowingly put his career on the line for Xavi, even though she had practically begged him to officially blame her for his insubordination. But Llwyedd would have none of it, which was why she was not lying right now. It would have been easy to do so, to take on the blame. But they all had written reports about the events and while she had not seen his, she could venture a very good guess as to what the captain's report said.

Agent Rojas nodded. "That sounds like Captain Llwyedd," she said. "Loyalty is one of his strengths." The sound of the ocean wafted up from below and a white bird with a black beak landed on the edge of the opening that looked out on the bay. It regarded the three of them for a heartbeat and then flitted away. "Have you had any contact with Sela or the Tal Shiar since you returned from the rescue mission? I know that there are numerous Romulan envoys visiting the Federation. Perhaps someone from the old days has reached out to you?"

"No, I have not had any contact with either of them," Rhiana replied, still in the same tone of voice, still replying truthfully. She hesitated for a fraction of a second but decided to ask her question. The answer, if she got one, could be interesting. "Why would they feel the need to contact me?"

Rojas and Witt shared a look. Witt pulled up his PADD and began to tap away. Rojas cleared her throat and began to walk around the roughly circular space. "I'm surprised to hear you ask that question, Commander. Even though Xavi is back in your custody, he is an incredibly important piece in the scope of Romulan politics. You know as well as I do that if Sela is killed, a good portion of the Romulan people will call for him to return to Romulan space and assume the title. And that means you have incredible power as his guardian. The offers you will receive will be substantial and real."

Rhiana blinked. Twice. "You mean the threats I will receive will be substantial and real, Agent Rojas. If Sela dies, for whatever reason, and the Romulan people might indeed call for Xavi, I am but an obstacle that needs to be removed."

"Possibly. But if I wanted Xavi to embrace his new role as Emperor, I wouldn't start off by killing the person he trusts the most. It would be much more effective to coerce you into cooperating. Perhaps an estate and a title and a seat on Xavi's council. If you refuse, then they kill you," Agent Rojas said in a cold tone.

"We both know that my life expectancy in the case I accepted their offer would be measured in days, at most," Rhiana replied in the same tone.

Agent Witt laughed. "Maybe. But you're pretty slippery. You've managed to stay alive. I've seen your type. They tend to survive everything, even when they shouldn't."

Rojas glared at Witt, who promptly stopped talking. "If that were true," she said, turning to face Rhiana again. "All the more reason for you to work closely with us over the coming months. We can help you. Give you information about threats to you and Xavi and the Firebird."

Rhiana's left eyebrow rose ever so slightly at Witt's words. She had never considered that, but he actually had a point: somehow, despite everything, she was still alive. If nothing else, this was something to take away from this meeting.

"Is it not your duty to protect the Federation and its citizens, Agent Rojas? Providing information about potential threats to a Starfleet vessel and her crew to her captain, chief of intelligence, and possibly even the chief of security is certainly part of that duty," Rhiana replied calmly. "On my end, I will take any hint of a threat to the Firebird and her crew seriously and will take appropriate measures to minimise or eliminate said threat. That is what you are referring to, is it not?"

"No, not really. Our concern isn't with your ship in general. Starfleet Command has its own threat assessment team. We are concerned with Xavi and his future," Rojas said. "There is a large segment of my organization that thinks it would be best if we took Xavi away and put him someplace quiet while he grows up. You understand that for them, he's the ultimate tool and one that should be wielded. I disagreed and so did a slight majority of others, which is why I am here. Agent Witt, on the other hand, thinks that this is a waste of time and we should be removing him from your care."

Rhiana did not laugh derisorily, though she was tempted to do so for a split second. Instead, she slowly and deliberately unclasped her hands from behind her back to bring them to her sides, somewhat regretting that she had not brought a phaser. She turned to look at Witt for a long moment with a not-quite menacing expression before she looked back at Rojas again. "What are you willing to offer for my cooperation? My own vessel? An admiralty? A seat on the Federation Council?" Rhiana's voice was not quite dripping with sarcasm, but it was close.

Agent Witt sighed. "I told you this was a waste of time. Let's go get the kid and forget all of this nonsense. She's giving us attitude instead of thanking you, which is what she should be doing," Witt said, glaring at Rhiana.

Agent Rojas' eyes narrowed. "That is enough, Agent Witt. You can wait outside since you're not being the least bit helpful," she said. For a moment it looked like Witt was going to say something but he finally shrugged and stomped out of the cave, leaving the remaining two in the shadows behind him.

Agent Rojas rubbed her face and then pinched the bridge of her nose. "I understand your anger and the cause for it. But you and I both know that if people like Witt decide to take Xavi, they'll probably succeed. Your reward for cooperating with me is that you get to shape Xavi into the person he should be instead of politicians and power brokers. For better or worse, I am an idealist. I believe in what the Federation stands for and I know that Captain Llwyedd feels the same. You and Xavi need to be on the Firebird and I need to know what is happening with you. I'm asking for a partnership, not offering you captivity."

The silence began to drag. Rojas began to think that perhaps her instincts were wrong. Maybe t'Aegis wasn't someone she could work with.

The silence was long because Rhiana did not know what to say. On the one hand, she wanted to be able to trust someone outside of the crew of the Firebird. Having more allies could only be beneficial in the long run. On the other hand, Rojas had just shared how utterly divided Starflight Intelligence was over the subject of Xavi - with one part planning the same fate for Xavi as certain Romulan politicians, only under the pretense of their plan being 'beneficial' for the Federation. She was not surprised that the Romulans were willing to use a child to their advantage. But that the Federation should stoop so low...

"You are right, Agent Rojas," Rhiana finally said. "Xavi and I need to be on the Firebird."

Agent Rojas smiled. "Good. Here's what I propose. You complete your training here and I'll arrange for a new nurse to be assigned to the Firebird. I'll make sure that there is a reasonable blemish on their record so as to not arouse suspicion as to why someone is being sent over. The nurse will be your point of contact and pass on information to you that I think you will have. Nobody, and I do mean nobody, else will be authorized to speak with you other than me. I'm going to arrange for alternative identities for you and Xavi. I will create them personally and by myself. If anyone tries to contact you besides me, take the identities and leave. Don't look back," Rojas said. She held up her hands. "This is precautionary and solely because I am a paranoid son of a bitch. Occupational tendency. I also will give you contact protocols to reach me. I'm available to you anytime for anything." She ran her hands through her hair. "I know you don't trust me right now. But my actions will prove to you that I do have your best interests at heart."

"You should create several sets of new identities," Rhiana replied matter-of-factly. "You are correct. I do not trust you. One day, maybe." But this could also simply be a trap to lure her and Xavi in. It would be easy enough for Starfleet Intelligence to create a situation that would make her use the false identities - and who knew where they would lead the two Romulans?? Rhiana made a mental note to contact Bokot about new identities. She had considered it before, but this meeting put a certain urgency on the request. She would also need to find a way to obtain more funds. A stash of Latinum might one day make the difference between life and death. That would have to wait until they could return to the Firebird again.

"If there is nothing else, Agent Rojas, I have other matters to attend to before my training starts tomorrow."

"Of course," Agen Rojas said. "I'll be in touch." She watched Commander t'Aegis leave, considering her next move or rather, moves. Agent Witt must have passed t'Aegis because not long after her departure he re-entered the cave.

"That went well," he said with a sour look.

"Compared to what could have happened, it went very well. Not that you were much help. Return to HQ and file your report. I'll catch up," Rojas said. Witt grunted in reply and tapped his combadge.

"One to beam up," he said and disappeared in a flare of light. Not two seconds afterward, the light flared again, depositing a different figure. He was an aging human man with thinning blonde hair and a grizzled face.

"Director Sloan," Agent Rojas said with a nod.

"Agent Rojas," Sloan replied. "Were you successful?"

She pursed her lips in thought before replying. "I believe so, sir."

Sloan smiled. "Good. Her recruitment to Section 31 is your highest priority. Keep me updated. That means anything and everything."

"What about Witt?" Agent Rojas asked.

"I'll deal with him," Sloan said.

[OFF]

Lieutenant Commander Rhiana t'Aegis
Second Officer / Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298


Special Agent Angela Rojas, Special Agent Kelvin Witt, and Director Luther Sloan (NPCs by Llwyedd)

 

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