Pale White Lies

Posted on Wed Jan 31st, 2018 @ 1:58pm by Fleet Admiral Donatella Figueroa

Mission: S01E02 D-8 With the Devil
Location: USS Musashi | Corridor

The mission was fast approaching, but no amount of weapons training or basic understanding of starship operations was going to help him. The crew of the starship Musashi had their mission, had their orders, and had faith in their Captain. Donatella Figueroa was more impressive than La'Quentin Cartwright had initially thought. In fact, she was formidable to say the least. At every corner, Captain Figueroa had plan or acted with confidence. It was as though any wrench thrown her way was dodged or caught in mid-air and used to her advantage. That was a trait that all starship Captains strove for; There was something to be said about someone who could take any disadvantage and turn it about into an advantage. She was hell bent on carrying out this mission that Commodore Cartwright, La'Quentin's father had placed upon her shoulder. Of course the Commodore had assigned his own flesh and blood son to be aboard the Musashi when it happened. As much as Captain Figueroa may have felt like La'Quentin was spying on her for his father, that was not the case. The good Commodore simply wanted a 'Cartwright' to have a name in Federation history. This was supposed to be the day that would mark an end to the Klingon threat. At least in the Commodore's mind.

As much of a respected Starfleet Captain Lance Cartwright, now Commodore Cartwright had been, he was no strategist. That was his son, La'Quentin. As far as La'Quentin was concerned this mission had less that a 60% chance of perfect success. That meant a 40% chance of failure to some extent. Those were numbers he could not live with, numbers that he needed to change, but following the rules of engagement and following Captain Figueroa into battle was not his way. Fortunately, it was not their way either. They were the people who snatched him from his graduation ceremony at the Federation War College and had recruited him behind his father's back. They as far as La'Quentin knew, had no name. They did not exist and for good reason. They were like minded individuals who wanted what was best for the Federation even if the Federation could not see the dangers before them.

His mission went hand-in-hand with that of the starship Musashi's or at least the USS Musashi would play a part in it. The Klingon Empire was more than just building a prototype battle cruiser. They were preparing for more than just the normal run of the mill war with the Federation that had been fought before. Internal political struggles were occurring, things that the Federation could not be prepared for, things that even Starfleet's best Intelligence reports could only barely scratch the surface of. What happened on the Elba II Orbital Transit Facility was Them and They did it because it needed to be done. They covered up their tracks good. At least They were supposed to cover those tracks good, but the Musashi and her Captain Figueroa were too good for their own damn good. Of course she would continue meddling and not just take the bait.

The USS Musashi was supposed to see the evidence left for them. Captain Figueroa with her hatred for Klingons was supposed to see the bodies aboard the facility and reasonable assume it was a Klingon attack. That the wild creature was left there by the Klingons, but Figueroa did not operate that way. It was too suspicious for her and she dug more. She dug deeper. Now, she was getting uncomfortably close to the truth.

Several moments ago...

“Captain Figueroa” said La'Quentin as he saw the woman charging down the corridor heading for the lift he had just exited from only moments ago. He had wanted to chat with her for a moment, having thought he could finally convince her to let him be a part of one of the boarding parties. “Captain, if I could just have a moment to...” he was going to say more but she cut him off.

Fig halted in her tracks as she nearly rammed into the civilian. “Cartwright, I do not have time for you right now. File your damn complaints and protests with Commander Samuels” she said dismissively. “If anyone asks I am not to be disturbed. I am going see Lieutenant Sh'howul” she added as she stepped into the lift. The doors shut and the lift moved.

Presently...

Cartwright's eyes lit up and his mouth hung ajar. She knows. She knows it was a Federation starship that attacked the transit facility he deduced from the way she was moving, the tone of her voice, and that pale white face or mortification.I have to contact them somehow....