Rage, Rage, Rage, Against the Dying of the Light

Posted on Mon Mar 2nd, 2020 @ 3:34am by Division Admiral Thomas Lasky & Lieutenant Commander Gabriel Yamaguchi & Fleet Captain Torilla Yamaguchi & Director Tienn Gyce

Mission: Mission 40: Thirty Pieces of Silver
Location: Various Locations - USS Roanoke
Timeline: 0900Hrs - August 5th, 2391

Commander Torilla Yamaguchi was early for a change but her choice in uniform attire spoke volumes as she was wearing the usual uniform jacket rather then the officers vest, she also wore the pants with the armored boots, her hair was tied back in a simple ponytail but the most dramatic change recently was in her eyes.

Torilla spent almost all her time recently in a permanent state of pissed off but then considering recent events, one couldn't say they should have been surprised at the changes. Torilla also was armed too as she had stuck in for a request with Lieutenant Sheridan to have a weapons permit so she could carry a weapon for self defense.

Torilla's trust issues were returning in a very serious way as she tapped the doorchime to Zara's office.

"Enter," Zara called to the chime.

Lasky raised an eyebrow as he watched Torilla enter, the look on her face went from guarded to enraged almost instantly and he knew why this was the case. "Captain.." Torilla gritted her teeth as she bit out the words. "I formally request reassignment. I'm done.." as she almost threw the PADD at Zara. It landed on the table with a clatter.

"Is this because-"

"Silence your Dog Captain." Torilla's tone spoke of contempt as Lasky shifted his weight, before Torilla hauled off and bitch slapped him across the face. "You tried to kill me. Be assured I will never forgive you for it." she growled ever so softly.

"You consented to having me mindfucked," Zara spoke very lowly and tossed the PADD in the bin. "You are not going anywhere for a while. Because that would be a reward for the shit you've had a part in doing to me."

"I consented to you coming clean... Because you lack the mental fortitude to do this shit for yourself." Torilla snarled angrily. "I am tired of being your babysitter... Find someone else to do it!"

"You want off this ship, then you fly right," Zara spoke after she took a moment to calm herself. "I am trying to do better now. But I will remind you that I'm not the only one who pays for her actions. So you turn around and get out of my office, before I decide a criminal case can be made out of your mistake."

Yamaguchi regarded Zara with real hatred in her eyes, their relationship had truly ended forever. "You fucking go to hell woman. I'm done with you." and with that, she turned and marched out the door.

"No lunch dates. No coffee talks..." Zara spoke with incredulity. "And she expects me to deliver her away from Hell? No."

"Let her go Zara." Lasky sighed softly, feeling like he was a millions years old. "She'll come around.. someday.... but Elizabeth won't..." he sighed. "In the end... It does not matter anymore. Let her go off of this ship... She's not worth keeping."

Suddenly there was a beep at the door as the doorbell sounded off.

"Now what?" Zara sighed irritably and called out, "enter!"

The door opened and in walked Lieutenant Junior Grade Gabriel Yamaguchi. "Mornin Capt'n. I was asked to hand-deliver this... to you." as he came over to the desk. "Its a shipment of supplies that the Avalon delivered to me... which I never requested and they were misfiled... as yours."

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Zara acknowledged uneasily. "...You see your mom?"

"No. Not yet" Gabriel answered with a smile. "I'm also not getting involved in that mess... I got my own problems....they are called Gideon, Nicole and Arlene.." he explained. "Besides... The Yamaguchi men have to set an example for the ladies in my house." he shrugged. "The Admiral sends her regards in addition to the item."

"Tell her I appreciate her concern," Zara spoke wholeheartedly. "But I more meant that Tory would like to see you. She needs a good grouping of her family right now."

Gabriel nodded his head. "Yes. I know..." he responded. "Its not mom's rage I'm worried about.." as he turned to regard Fives. "Considering recent events... you scared her half to death..." he admitted quietly. "Every Yamaguchi felt that surge of pain when you clocked her sir."

"Why can't all the goobers involved just apologize and try to get along," Zara sighed with exasperation.

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "Because sometimes sir... it doesn't work that way..." he sighed. "There are some things that go too deep.."

"All the same... Go find and hug your mom, she needs you. More then she'll say." Zara spoke with both dismissal and concern.

"Yessir." and with that Gabriel turned and walked out the door.

"I was expecting him to pull my head off of my body and keep it as a souvenir," Lasky commented quietly.

"Be lucky he's just like his dad in that regard," Zara half-teased. "Would be a shame if you were suddenly not around."

"His Dad wants my head..." Lasky responded. "and most would call my departing a blessing... Jake's right though... I have lost my way."

"Yes... and no," Zara agreed. Then held her hand up to explain. "What happened could have been handled a lot better. But that being said... You stuck up for me, which is a rare thing. You protected someone you care for, which is not a bad thing."

Lasky nodded her head. "I did... and I'd do it again.." he responded.

Another chime sounded, for which Zara was ready to wave a white flag.

"It's open. In fact, computer, keep the main door of this office open to all annoyances," Zara commanded and watched as the door remained open, even after Gyce entered.

"Final reports, Ma'am." Gyce did not look very happy as she handed her PADD to Zara. "It does not look good for Colonel Sullivan."

Zara read it for several minutes while Gyce leaned on her cane.

"Why haven't you put out an arrest detail?" Zara asked with shock.

"This is a case I would defer to JAG or admiralty, since the evidence is highly circumstantial," Gyce pointed out. "And to be honest, a case of this magnitude would need to be looked at by SCIS and JAG anyway."

"So put your SCIS hat on... What happens?" Zara pressed harder.

"Captain Avok, my previous partner from SCIS, would look at the motive and the means and fit it with the people who had the best opportunity," Gyce pointed out. "There is nothing to suggest the hangar fire was an accident. So this is to be treated as sabotage, or terrorism, given Colonel Sullivan's political stance with the Maquis movement."

"And who does Captain Avok report his recommendations to?" Zara asked with foreboding.

"Admiral Nechayev, Ma'am. She's presently looking after Starfleet security until the new head is finished settling in, which should be a week or so..." Gyce pulled another PADD from her messenger bag that had the paperwork Phoenix had signed to get out of prison. Nechayev's name was on there. "Her name is on the authorization forms that released Phoenix from prison."

Lasky had to catch his temper from fusing white hot. "So... Colonel Sullivan is Nechayev's puppet and now the hanger fire.... why now?" he paused. "Phoenix had ample opportunities.... why leave it till now?" he regarded Gyce as he asked quietly. "I don't get it... it doesn't add up." he added. "Phoenix isn't the type to torch her own barn and kill sixty five of her own people...No.... she most definitely would not try and kill her own apprentice who was flying with her." Lasky paused as he looked at Zara. "If Torilla hears about this... She'll go crazy.."

"Why do you think I haven't put an arrest warrant out for her?" Gyce spoke with red eyes. "But brass don't like Phoenix about as much as they hate Tane. And an accident this big is calling for action. Brass are likely to crucify Phoenix, since she was in the weapons seat."

"Phoenix is in no shape to go anywhere... she's in a hospital bed on Tranquility's Burn unit and if she gets up and walks out uinder her own power for anything less then the next month, it'll be a major miracle." Lasky reminded Gyce. "El Tee... I don't get you... you come across as the type who protests the rules and serves the public good... then when I got you figured out, you change the playing field on us all." Lasky responded. "In any case.. it doesn't matter... Brass will fry her... and probably Rachael too."

"I serve the Law, Mister Lasky," Gyce pointed out to Fives. "I'm saying the evidence is inconclusive. We don't know if this was accident, sabotage, or terrorism. And I'm informing you, under special directive and my personal protest, that SCIS will be taking over... I don't see this ending well for Phoenix."

Lasky regarded Gyce. "Your personal protest?" he inquired.

"High-profile cases are deferred to SCIS," Gyce spoke after an annoyed sigh. "I still have the badge, but they are pulling me from the case, since they believe I might not be objective."

"You have not turned your finale report in though, correct?" Zara clearly had something going up her sleeve, but was not ready to talk about it.

"No. I want to lodge formal protests against my case removal before I do so."

Zara opened her desk. Several drawers rapidly until she pulled out a data rod. Then tossed it at Gyce.

"When the time is right, seek Captain Olmos. Show her that rod. She'll tell you what to do. And you'll know exactly what your task when the moment comes to use the rod," Zara spoke very cryptically. "Put all your findings on your personal server and have it ready to go."

"Err... OK." Gyce was unsure of what was going on, but she was certain Tane was going to do something stupid.

"I'll leave you two at it then," Zara spoke dismissively.

Lasky raised an eyebrow. "Alright then." he turned to Gyce. "When the time comes... come find me.."

"Will do," Gyce promised and turned to leave.

"This being sober.... sucks sometimes," Zara sighed as she stood up and hugged Tom. "I am glad to have someone to help me cope."

Lasky gently hugged her back before he hauled her onto his lap. "Being sober can be good too." he responded.

"Water just isn't enough sometimes though," Zara admitted with a dry mouth.

"Thats because you've been drinking so much and for so long.... you're a functioning alcoholic...." he responded. "Do you want to come clean?"

"I do," Zara confirmed defiantly. "...I just never had the discipline to stick with a lot of things."

"Fair enough." Lasky responded. "Then we can work at it... together."

Zara kissed Tom on the cheek and started to draft her first letter. She looked up one last time at him to let him know she appreciated him.