In Confidence

Posted on Tue Dec 17th, 2019 @ 5:18pm by Lieutenant Commander Sofia Nikedoros & Captain Luka Mahone

2,539 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Canary
Location: Chapel, Haumea Colony
Timeline: MD 02 : 1525 Hrs

With his faithful and fluffy companion in tow, Luka descended from his office within the confines of the Command Center. He smiled as Lugh dove into one of the various piles of snow, which he noted were smaller than they were a week ago. Hopefully this was a good indication of what was to come. He could deal with weather emergencies.

He couldn't deal with what he was about to face.

But that was why he took a moment to take a visit to the chapel that had been refit since their arrival. There was one prior on Haumea, but with no prior chaplain, the building turned into a storage area while they waited for one to arrive. Luka had yet to assess whether Sofia's presence was good for all the colony or not yet, but he was grateful to have her about.

And, as soon as they entered the building, he could tell Lugh would have been as well. The pup bounded forward, stopping and sniffing the area ten feet in front of Luka, before whirling and giving an obedient 'yip.' By this point, Luka figured that meant it was 'all clear.'

He quietly strode through, shushing Lugh with a finger as they passed the few attendees performing their own meditative rituals, each different from the last. He came to a stop toward the front of the chapel, seating himself in one of the pews. Typically, he would have gone to find the office of one of his senior staff, but even he in all his ignorance would not have wanted to disrespect what this building, or Sofia, represented. The world outside would just have to wait.

"Go in peace. Our worship is ended. now let our service begin," Sophia pronounced as she lifted her hands in the blessing for dismissal.

The small gathering of worshipers responded with "Amen" before rising, some quietly filing out, others pausing to say a word or two in parting.

Having spotted Luka as he entered, Sophia didn't linger over conversation with those who remained. If any had sought counseling, she would have signaled him to come back later, but today it was at most 'coffee hour' chat that she could duck out of politely. As the congregants left, she removed her stole and came over to Luka and Lugh. Some might have been offended by a dog in a chapel, but Sophia's philosophy was that it was the Creator's house and therefore all creatures were welcome so long as they posed no harm to others.

"Captain," she greeted him, and bent down to pet the pup barely containing his desire to jump out of his nice sit. "And Lugh, welcome. But I sense you aren't here for worship. What can do for you?"

"I... have a dilemma." Luka paused, lowering his head. "As if that wasn't obvious, anyway. But no, not for worship. Maybe one day, but today?... Not so much." He looked about. "Is there a chance we could take this privately? I may need your advise as counselor and commander."

"It's all right. Community worship isn't for everyone," she assured him, and rose, gesturing for him to follow. "My office here is available, and it's secure," she added, sensing that whatever involved both counseling and command would require that.

After leading them back through the 'cloister walk' hallway just outside the main chapel, she keyed open her door. The office was small but comfortable, with her desk placed near a set of bookcases in the back, leaving the main section open for a couch, chairs, and a low table. She ushered them in, pausing to retrieve a large cushion and toss it on the floor for Lugh. "Please, make yourself comfortable. Would you like something to drink first - coffee? tea?"

Both Captain and pup followed after Sofia, the latter in a much more obliviously chipper manner. Luka took a moment to pause and watch Lugh sniff the cushion, before seating himself on the couch. Lugh did the same on the cushion, after deeming it safe and ... cushy.

"Tea, please." Luka fell silent, observing Sofia's office as he waited. "Are you in need of anything for your... is facilities the right word?"

Sofia smiled to herself at Lugh happily settled near Luka. The large cushions had been a good investment even if they weren't often used by the people she'd originally orderwd them for. "We have what we need," she replied, returning with cups of tea for Luka and herself. Settling onto a chair, she picked up her tea and blew lightly across the top to cool it. "Now, why don't you tell me what you need?"

"... Advice." Luka rested a hand on Lugh's head as the pup settled in. "Quite a bit. We've had a development in the investigation on the Io. And it's... well." He paused, narrowing his eyes at a spot on the wall. There was little sense in keeping it from Sofia, and he knew well enough that she would be discreet, in more ways than one.

But he trusted Theo just the same, and Luka didn't know what to make of that situation at all. "The angles of the investigation are all wrong. Something feels off. And I don't feel right pointing fingers until I know for absolute certain. But am I... Am I being too hesitant? Our lead investigator seems rather gung ho on making sure they get their suspect, and I don't want to distrust anyone at all." He frowned. "This is why when they asked me where I wanted to be in a command instance, I stated very clearly a medical vessel. Or an exploratory, not anywhere near anything political, vessel."

"Hmm..." Sofia considered what had, and had not, been said. "In general I would advise against resisting a rush to judgment, no matter how gung ho another officer is about it. In fact, I'd say that as a CO slowing that down and being sure the evidence is what it appears is very much what you should be doing. Even moreso if your gut is telling you that things don't feel right."

She paused, considering the political side - which, sadly, church work had taught her to always consider. "But the given the gravity of what happened and the feelings that are still high after the crash, you can't just stall. Some move to assured the investigators that you are taking their opinions into account is necessary - if only to prevent anyone from taking matters into their own hands out of frustration." She settled back, a passive posture to put him more at ease. "However I'm afraid I can't offer better advice without knowing more. I understand this is a delicate topic, but I will treat anything said with strict confidentiality."

"I expect nothing less." Luka leaned forward to pick up his mug of tea, frown deepening. "I think I'm just in disbelief. We've kept trust in each other for so long that I didn't believe this even remotely a possibility." But he had, or else he would have asked the security chief himself to heat up this secret operation. If he had, would the suspect list be different? "... Our key suspect right now, unfortunately, seems to be that of our own Security Chief. But it is all oddly placed. Oddly timed. And it just feels wrong."

Sofia sat back, surprised. She didn't know Theo well, but she usually had a good sense of people and sabotaging the Io seemed very much out of character. "I agree that that does not feel right," she said finally. "And I would certainly want every avenue checked and verified since even the accusation could damage his reputation and career." She paused, considering that she had seen imposters, mind-control, any number of potential explanations. But she had also seen cases where an infiltrator was good enough to fool everyone... "However, the security risk if it proves true is grave. What options are you considering in how to proceed?"

"I've given up much of the control of the investigation to his Assistant Chief." Lillian was as much of an outside force as much of the newer arrivals. That didn't mean she could be trusted...

Luka hissed to himself for having the thought. The idea of not being able to trust anyone was clear in his mind. "And while I get she was content to pull his security clearance and drag him for questioning, I didn't feel right. We've sectioned off a block of the apartments he's in, and quarantined them until they can finish their investigation of his quarters. I suppose it's good that he's decided to wait for a senior staff home, or that would have been a little more difficult. If they find more evidence?... Well, that's when I would pull him for questioning. Discreetly." He made a face. "... I have to admit, discretion like this and I are not friends normally."

"I understand," Sofia said sympathetically. "Even as much a part of my profession as it is, there are often times when it feels like there is no good path there. But discretion is a necessity here - not only out of consideration for his reputation if this is proven false, but for his safety. I don't think I am compromising any confidences in telling you that there are a lot of people still very hurt and angry about the losses suffered from the Io. I don't think any of those who have spoken to me would necessarily take revenge, but those are the people actively trying to work through pain and grief. It's not unthinkable that someone holding onto that might act on it, or even that a crowd of otherwise rational people could be wound up to violence."

"Damned if I do." Luka slumped back in the seat, surprising Lugh into a startled yip. "His safety, his reputation, and potentially the trust of the whole colony. It implies a lot." He let out a heavy sigh. "More than I'd like to admit. I don't want a witch hunt of any of the Io crew. It's bad enough Lieutenant Shurlock declined a full posting, but we still have many of the crew deciding to stay."

His eyes narrowed. "... But I don't think you're wrong. I haven't even thought about the angle of potential violence. There are too many variables for me to predict what would happen, what the right answer would be. They train for this, but training can never prepare anyone for things like this..."

"Training helps, but not enough." Sofia sighed. "My suggestion would be to arrange a medical quarantine for Theo - as a doctor you have the authority and the expertise to come up with a plausible condition - so that isolating him isn't suspicious and guards won't be inclined to interact with him. Having bio-monitors on him beyond an easily removed comm badge could also be explained that way."

"Hm..." It was a thought that escaped Luka's mind in trying to make sure the investigation could go through without ruining a reputation. "... We could do that. So long as he's not... too angry about us moving him from his apartment. I know I would be confused. But this is not unfeasible in the slightest, especially with the situation the living quarters quarantine is set up with ..." He trailed off, mumbling more under his breath about the moving parts, before his cheeks turned red, eyes snapping upward. "Apologies, Commander. I do much better with Davna next to me, taking this all down. I'll be hurting for a yeoman when she's promoted, that's for sure."

"It's all right, sir. It's easy to become reliant on a helper, especially one as ...avid as Davna," she assured him diplomatically. "But as to arrangements, you indicated he might be confused. Does he not know yet of the charges against him?"

Luka shook his head, looking down into the contents of his cup, wincing at how guilty he felt over the situation. "The investigation team made a point of not wanting him to be aware until they were certain he could be brought in for questioning. If he had any thought that there was a suspicion, and he was guilty?" Luka looked up, clearly uncomfortable with the idea. "He could hide or destroy any extra evidence they may find, was the thought. I cannot say I disagree, but it still feels too... sneaky I suppose is the word."

Sofia frowned as well. An extensive charade to preserve his safety and reputation was one thing, but however well justified the concern of preserving evidence, the charade to keep Theo in the dark had gone on too long. "I can agree with the initial impulse to prevent anyone from potentially destroying evidence, but he's the Security Chief. It isn't as though bringing him into headquarters for questioning without raising suspicions is difficult to arrange," she noted. "He a right to be made aware of the charges against him and offer whatever proof or alibis he has before this goes much farther. Because the farther it goes, the more suspicions will grow. What's more, there's a possibility he's being framed, which brings up a question of 'quis custodiet ipsos custodes' - who watches the watchers?"

"I can't say I disagree with any of that." The guilt weighed upon Luka's shoulders as they talked, his whole form slouching back into the sofa he sat upon. "I'll have to weigh the timing when I get back. They're likely already all over his apartment, if not now then soon." His voiced thoughts petered out, before he gave Sofia a sheepish look. "... Thank you."

"Any time," she replied, and reading his body language, leaned in with a kind smile. "Don't be too hard on yourself. This is your first command, and frankly this situation would difficult for even the most experienced CO."

"Yes, but I think even the most experienced may have a better solution." Luka rested a gentle hand atop Lugh's head, scritching behind the pup's ears. "... But once again, I seem to have taken up much of your time."

"I am always glad to make time for you, Captain," Sofia said, understanding that he was being polite since it was not her time but his that was of the essence. "But I know you have matters to attend. But please don't hesitate to come by any time you need counsel, or even just a friendly ear to bend. It is a big part of why I'm here."

"Mm." Luka fell silent. If it hadn't been for the colony full of people, he would have likely asked for more of the woman's time. He had a lot more on his mind than he wanted to admit to, but there were times and places.

And a Captain's job was truly never done.

He stood from his seat, and Lugh with him. The pup leapt from the cushion with a happy wag of his tail, already ready to bounce off into the next adventure. "Well, it is always appreciated. Highly. But I should truly go. Before someone comes to look for me."

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