Investigations - Interview

Posted on 10 Jun 2026 @ 11:56am by The Narrator & Lieutenant JG Zhivise Silatuyok

1,060 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Unity
Location: Unity Station
Timeline: Current

ATTENTION ALL STARFLEET SHIP CREWS: RETURN IMMEDIATELY TO YOUR SHIP AND REMAIN ON BOARD UNTIL SECURITY IS ABLE TO SPEAK WITH YOU. A CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED ON STATION UNITY AND IS BEING INVESTIGATED. MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW SOON.

The words blared authoritatively across every speaker built into Unity Station, making sure to reach every corner where any Starfleet ship crew member could be...

Zhiv jumped slightly. It wasn't something you heard.

Her legs began moving as her mind processed the announcement. What kind of crime would require everyone to return to their ships? Theft? Sabotage? It couldn't be murder, could it? And, before she knew it, Zhiv was back on the Odin and standing in front of her quarters.

Once inside, she quickly took off her dress uniform and put on something more comfortable. Her Academy tank and cotton shorts. Simple, but something that she could wear when being questioned.

As the various crew members of the various starships made their way back to their places, a briefing went out to all the chiefs of security to apprise them of what had happened--at least the very top-sheet summary of it, since they didn't know much yet--as well as the directives.

Security officers were then dispatched to work their way through the various crew members. It was not a fast process, depending on the sizes of the ships, crews, and security departments in question, but eventually there was a chime at Zhivise Silatuyok's door.

Zhiv had drifted into a light nap when the chime went off. "Com...ent enter...," she called out groggily, before finally making it to the door and opening it.

A human woman named Rachel Widdows, Lieutenant, stood on the other side of the door as it slid open. "I'm Lieutenant Widdows, Security. You are Lieutenant Silatuyok?" she asked to confirm. This woman matched the personnel file picture, but there were procedures.

"Yea, yeah, er, yes, ma'am, that's me," Zhiv said with a small but tired smile.

"Thank you," Rachel said with a nod. She stepped inside, around the pilot, without waiting to be invited. That was against her personal nature, but it also came with the job. "As I'm sure you're aware, there was a crime committed aboard the station while the party was happening. We have to question everyone who was aboard. You were in attendance at the ceremony and the after-event, correct?"

"Oh...um, right, please come in," Zhiv said, sounding slightly annoyed at the intrusion. "And, yes, I am aware that some kind of crime was committed, I mean, you kinda announced it. And, again, yes, I was at the ceremony."

Rachel smiled slightly, trying to put the other woman at ease. See if this was nerves because of the situation, or maybe something else. "Were you in the event hall the entire evening?" she asked, getting right to it.

"Yes, I was there, no, wait...yeah, right bathroom once, well maybe twice," Zhiv said, getting a little mouthy, which she typically could keep in check. But there were those few times when it didn't work.

"I see," the security officer said with a short nod. "When you were not in the event hall, do you recall seeing anything strange? Anything that stood out as out of place?"

"No, not really," Zhiv said, crossing her arms. "What happened?" Zhiv finally asked as she was now kinda getting annoyed with these questions, and the worst part is she wants to know what is going on, but she really has no clearance to know what happened.

The security officer considered for several moments, evaluating what needed to be revealed and what to withhold. Certain news would have to be told in time, however, so she knew this was actually cleared. She just wanted answers prior to stating it.

"I regret to inform you, Lieutenant Silatuyok, that this evening, your executive officer--Commander Kristiana Petrova--was murdered during the evening's event."

Zhiv didn't know the commander well, but she was a member of the crew and the XO. "Oh, uh...," Zhiv said, lost for words as she took a few steps back towards the couch. She didn't collapse onto the couch, but she did take a seat. "Um, I am sorry, but I uh don't think I can help. Yeah, I didn't se..." but Zhiv stopped mid-sentence. "Actually, um, right before we were ordered back to our quarters, two ensigns arrived, and they were out of their dress uniforms, and they were having a heated conversation with a lieutenant."

The reaction was expected, but the sudden information wasn't. She raised her brows, very slightly, and tilted her head. "Did you know these officers? Could you tell me your names? Or did you overhear what they were having this 'heated argument' about?"

"Sorry, I don't know who they are, honestly, I don't even know if they are from the Odin. And, not sure who they were arguing with, sorry." Zhiv said, knowing she said sorry way too many times.

"Was there anything about this 'heated argument' that concerned you and made you suggest it now?" Rachel asked, trying a different angle.

"Not sure if it was an argument or a telling off," Zhiv said, knowing a "telling off" when she saw one. She had a few back in the academy. "But the two who were late were like late, late, missed the ceremony late."

Rachel tilted her head thoughtfully, her mind racing through the timelines. "Do you recall how long after the ceremony ended this group arrived in the event hall?"

"Half-hour, maybe forty, forty-five minutes," Zhiv said with a shrug. "Two of them were just in duty uniforms, either medical or science, as they had the teal."

"Alright, thank you," Rachel said with a nod. "Is there anything else you can think of that stood out as...odd? Especially after the ceremony concluded."

"Nope, I think that is about it," Zhiv said as she went back to processing what had happened.

Rachel nodded. "Alright, that's all for now. Command and Security are asking that crew remain in their quarters for the time being until we've had a chance to speak to everyone."

Zhiv just nodded. "Alright." She added simply.

Lieutenant Widdows headed for the door. Before leaving, she paused and glanced back. "And if you think of anything else, please be sure to let me know."

 

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