The Elephant in the Room

Posted on Sun Mar 1st, 2020 @ 9:10pm by Fleet Captain Torilla Yamaguchi & Director Tienn Gyce

Mission: Mission 36: The Crusade Against the Infidels
Location: Various Locations - USS Roanoke
Timeline: 0900Hrs - July 2nd, 2391

Commander Torilla Yamaguchi knew she could no longer avoid the situation that was brewing between her and Gyce as she found herself as she went into the Security Stationhouse. "Is the El Tee about?"

Sheridan regarded Yamaguchi. "She's in her office. Can I ask what this is about sir?"

"Its a private matter Lieutenant, Don't need to worry about it."

"I see... Well as I said. she's right in there."

Torilla went over to the door indicated before she knocked once.

Gyce was fiddling with what looked like an engineering pool table. Only this one was geared for security use. A holo projection of personal headshots and lines connecting to this piece of evidence and that.

A case map, in other words. With Aryssa Sullivan's headshot at the very top.

"Commander," Gyce spoke as she immediately stood at attention. "I have not finished this case map as of yet, as interviews are still being conducted."

"Stand Easy." Torilla responded. "This is the Roanoke, we don't stand on ceremony here.." she said almost as habit. "Don't believe me, ask Jake, he's never in uniform."

Gyce was not sure how to respond to that, so she relaxed her posture and listened dutifully to her superior.

Yamaguchi raised an eyebrow. "I'm not here regarding recent events... I am here to deal with the Screech Rhino in the room... So I am going to be blunt with you... I still don't like you... you locked up my daughter who was pregnant... Rachael was standing up for her friend and you locked her up for it."

"I am sorry for the chaos that occurred, but I am not sorry for my actions, Commander," Gyce spoke respectfully. "She helped incite a disturbance, which garnered the participation of almost the entire medical staff being cited for Indecent Exposure in the Presence of a Minor. Pregnant or not, she knew the rules and she was never denied the comfort of clothes upon her arrest."

Yamaguchi regarded the other woman. "I'm not disputing any of that.. But considering what happened to Phoenix and to Hakaya. Did you not once consider that your reaction to Rachael's reaction was a bit over the top.." she shrugged. "in any case... it matters not.."

"It matters, Commander..." Gyce spoke quietly and turned to her work. "I've already explained this to Tane, and I don't like to keep saying this, but my job is to enforce the law. So as to protect children younger than when I first met your teen."

"It always comes to the law with you doesn't it?" Yamaguchi responded. "laws written by humans for everyone else." she added. "Laws change from day to day Lady, depending on who's writing them.... Cardassians one day, Federation the next... but justice is still justice." she paused. "Is it justice you want... or simple order... everyone does as they are told... no dissent from anyone?"

"I protect to the extent of the law, because I'm not a soldier," Gyce bit back bitterly as she gestured to her cane. "I can't chase every bad guy and be in every foxhole fighting the fight the way you can... So I do the best I can with what the Prophets gave me, Commander."

Torilla raised an eyebrow. "Sometimes Lieutenant, the easy way doesn't get the job done... " as she turned her attention to the large incomplete case map. "I will admit to a certain urge..." she paused a moment as she breathed out and then back in. "to find this guy... so I can strangle the life out of him."

"Sickbay noted she had intercourse recently," Gyce pointed pointed out uneasily, for she knew Torilla was more or less another mother to the kid. "Given the toxic levels in bloodstream, Doctor Furban estimated she has been taking these drugs for almost three months... Not long after her mother was rescued."

Torilla blinked slowly as she processed the news. "Ahh.." she sighed as she looked down at the floor, suddenly feeling a wave of guilt wash over her. "Dammit Aryssa.... Why did you not tell me!" she said quietly. "Because Phoenix had been raising the twins for two years beforehand.." Torilla explained to Gyce. "she and I both settled on the names of Tressa and Nix... for Phoenix." as she sighed

"Mind if I help myself to the replicator... I... I need a drink.."

Gyce nodded in agreement and offered Torilla her comfy office chair at the desk. "This road Miss Sullivan has herself on, is not your fault. She's just a kid that has gone too long without a stable environment. So much so, she's virtually a street kid - Very independent-minded."

Torilla went over to the replicator, before ordering herself a glass of orange punch, it was one of Jake's preferred drinks before she sat down in the chair that she was offered.

Torilla shifted ever so slightly from side to side and back to front a couple of times. "Mmmm... Cozy." she commented. "Go on with what you were saying... I'd like to hear your perspective on all of this..."

"We know she had about a week's worth of drugs in her possession. And there are only two ways you get that much... Currency, or sex. And given Phoenix changed her codes to keep Saki from stealing from her, and the fact she has refused to give Miss Sullivan her trust fund access card - a fund setup by Miss Sullivan's father..."

Gyce braced herself for the inescapable conclusion, "It is my theory that the unknown seaman was from either a seller or someone she tricked to, to get the drugs."

Torilla looked down at her drink before she placed it on the table before her. "I did well with my first three children.... Aryssa was something of an inheritance, same with Saki.." Torilla missed her granddaughter. "I must be a terrible mother... I didn't see any of this happening right under my nose... "

"You would be a terrible mother if this happened in your home and didn't notice it," Gyce corrected, and placed a gentle hand atop Torilla's. "But she did this outside your home. Arboretum, chef's break room... And it's laced with something akin to Klingon tobacco. So no one knew what it was. Either she, or her dealer was smart enough to roll the mix in something that looks a lot like Tane's cigar leaves."

Torilla regarded the other woman. "Which means someone set it up so Zara would get nailed for it." she paused. "Gyce... do me one request..?" she inquired.

"Yes Ma'am?" Gyce asked.

"Run this bastard down.. and make him pay.."

"I shall," the Bajoran promised, then pointed out to Torilla. "...This kid needs a soft touch right now. But she also needs rehab. Because if what she said at the wedding is true? She feels ignored and unloved because the twins are so very much front and center with both her mothers."

Torilla nodded. "I'll do that." she responded before a smile appeared on her face. "Thank you El Tee... I hope we can be friends going forward.." she sounded rather hesitant about it.

"You don't have to do it, if that's not what you want," Gyce smiled in a knowing manner. "You would not be the first person coerced into befriending me."

"No... Rachael was." Torilla admitted. "I'll admit.. I miss my granddaughter... But she has no filter, no modesty and no subtlety." she sighed. "I tell you what... let her spend the next few nights with me... that way you can focus on what you need to deal with.." she paused. "Also... in regards to the Tienn case... I will keep an open mind when it comes time for the Captains Mast and the punishment that gets dished out."

Torilla had no idea as to why she was saying this but she felt it needed to be said.

"If it does become a conflict of interest, let me know. I can try and find someone who can do a more than adequate job," Gyce promised. Conflicted tough, as her girlfriend was very much in her thoughts.

"No need... Commander Teval can handle it.." Yamaguchi responded. "I would have greatly prefer to handle this matter myself but... JAG will never permit it." a sigh escaped her lips. "Sometimes... I hate my job.." as the doorbell beeped at the two women.

Torilla raised an eyebrow. "Don't let me get in the way of your work."

"You aren't," Gyce admitted and opened the door to her office. "I need a distraction anyway... You aren't the only one having issues with it."

Rear Admiral Jake Yamaguchi regarded the Bajoran woman. "We all need a good distraction from time to time." he explained. "Ahh Torilla, there you are..." he turned to Gyce. "You busy for dinner tonight?" he inquired.

Torilla blinked in confusion but she didn't say it aloud. "Our place or the lounge. "

"No, our place... Gyce here should meet who she's fighting to protect."

"Ahh." Torilla responded. "What are you making?"

"Its a surprise..." he turned to Gyce. "Are you allergic to anything I should know about?"

"Coconut, peanuts, and rekja spice... If you meant food allergies," Gyce supplied and then pulled up her sleeve so Jake could see her medical alert bracelet. "Has a list of drug allergies too, Sir."

Yamaguchi nodded his head. "Okay. I think I can make a dish which would avoid your allergies... do you like Italian food?"

Torilla slowly smiled as she turned back to the map as she covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a laugh.

"Umm... Yes, Sir." Gyce was a bit weirded out. Flag officers did not just ask line officers to dinner. Especially in front of their spouse. "Should I ask Saki to come along? Or should I tell her to spend dinner with Ensign Yamaguchi?"

"No... let her spend it with her aunt. Elizabeth could stand to see someone other then our faces." he indicated Torilla who had by now composed herself. "You can hang out with the twins and meet the cats..."

"I'm very flattered, but I know very little about taking care of babies," Gyce spoke apologetically, while wondering what they wanted from her.

"Wait... why would you take care of the twins?" Yamaguchi inquired before Torilla regarded Gyce. "He just wants to know if you want to come over for dinner tonight." she said while she was trying not to laugh.

"Yeah," Gyce agreed. "I should probably look in on Iteela at some point, before the night ends."

Jake regarded the Bajoran woman in silence. "Dinner is at nineteen hundred." he responded before he took his leave, departing in silence as Torilla watched him go. "Tell her I said hello."