Two Betrayals - Part One

Posted on Fri Mar 20th, 2020 @ 3:49pm by Lieutenant Martin 'Pharma Bro' Shkreli & Lieutenant Rosalie Avila

Mission: Mission 103: The Rumblings of Discontent
Location: Various Locations - USS Solemn Penance
Timeline: 0900Hrs - August 22nd 2393

Lieutenant Martin Shkreli went down the hallway, he was heading to his next appointment, which was his coming aboard counseling checkup with a Lieutenant Rosalie Avila, he had not heard of her but he knew he had to be careful with this one, he did not need to overplay his hand. He reached his destination a moment later, he sighed softly as he decided to get it over with, he tapped the door chime, letting the woman inside know that he was here and was waiting for her attention.

Inside. Lieutenant Rosalie Avila tapped the display as she finished reviewing what she needed to read on her newest patient, a man who was a victim of child abuse so she could expect all sorts of games and tricks from him. She rose to her feet as she permitted him access to her office. "Enter!" she called aloud, the doors opened and in came her next client. Lieutenant Martin Shkreli, right on time.

"Hello, Counselor." Shkreli addressed her.

Lieutenant Rosalie Avila was a human woman of average height, she was shorter then Skherli but not by much. Her skin was dark as she was black and not white, and her auburn hair reached the small of her back. She was very curvy and busty, a fact that her tailored duty uniform accented.

"Doctor Martin Shkreli! I'm pleased to meet you. I'm Rosalie Avila, the Chief Counselor. Please call me Rosalie. Won't you come in?"

Shkreli entered the domain of the ship's counselor, she smiled as she regarded the taller and larger female before her. "Hello Rosalie." he smiled "Sorry, it's always interesting meeting new people."

Avila smiled as she nodded her head. "Yes, It's never dull. Please make yourself comfortable." She gestured toward a very comfortable couch. The entire room radiated serenity. The human counselor looked at the Lieutenant with a rather gentle smile on her lips.

Shkreli moved into the office before he sat down on the sofa, he smiled as he found it to be actually quite comfortable. Well, Counselor. I am told that my assignment here with being a temporary one before I go to whatever command needs of me."

Avila regarded him. "Yes, about six months or so. Are you okay with that?"

"Well, I had requested an assignment closer to Earth. I've missed home..." he paused. "I am considering resigning my commission," he admitted.

Avila had not been expecting that statement, the look on her face said as much. "Oh... May I ask why?" she inquired.

Shkreli decided to come out with it, as he knew that she would be bound to keep to herself what it was that he told her. "Because I don't like what the Federation is turning into. Humans helped to found the Federation and now we're being told that it's no longer ours. That we must give what was ours over to those who have not earned it, have not worked for it." he commented.

Avila raised an eyebrow. "I have heard this statement from others," she commented evenly. "Go on...?"

Shkreli regarded her. "Where are you from?" he inquired. "You're not from Earth... Are you?"

"No. I'm actually from one of the newer colonies, established in the last twenty years or so... Estuary to be specific," she admitted.

"Ahh.." Shkreli paused. "My condolences to you," he said in a quiet tone of voice. "I imagine it can't have been easy wearing that uniform after what happened.?"

Avila regarded him, a small sliver of anger coloring her face, it was there for only a moment, but only a moment. "One of my sisters was sold into slavery after a Caitian task force stripped the entire sector of its defenses for their own assignment elsewhere. Starfleet agreed with their assessment," she admitted. "I have no idea what became of Marie and neither does anyone else who knew her." she let out a soft sigh.

"Now you understand why I want out. I cannot be a party to an organization that favors some over the whole," he explained to her in simple and blunt terms. "Maybe someday,m we will find out what happened to those lost on that fateful day."

"Perhaps." Avila agreed with a gentle nod of her head. "Maybe they will surprise me... I doubt it, however."

"Now, that is where the Federation should be pressing its efforts, in protecting our own, not carrying on like nothing has changed or nothing has gone wrong." he paused. "We should be policing our own space, securing our own borders, not giving in to the demands of the lost, the dammed and the failed states."

Avila nodded her head. "I've heard enough... I'm going to certify you, as fit for duty." she slowly smiled. "Maybe you should say this to the skipper," she added, in her soft and gentle tone of voice.

"He does not heed your council.?" Shkreli inquired.

"He never asks me for it," Avila admitted.

"I see," Shkreli answered a gentle smile appeared on his face.