Gestures of Good Will

Posted on 03 Mar 2020 @ 7:14pm by Captain Mallory Thorne & Cor Ive & Commander Kristiana Petrova

1,235 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Changing Faces
Location: Brig
Timeline: MD 02 - 1845 hours

The three forms of the command team made their way into the brig and up to the force field behind which Cor had been left to cool down. The security officer on duty gave a salute as Kristiana Petrova, Roman Gant and Mallory Thorne lined up outside the force field, regarding their guest.

Cor sat on the bed, his back against the wall, as the three walked up. "Ah, my captors have returned. Here to torture me or ship me off to some sort of prison camp?"

Mallory stood before the forcefield with her hands laced behind her back, lips slightly pursed and a disappointed sigh escaping her lungs. "I know nothing about your species, Mr. Ive, but in mine--and here on my ship--actions have consequences. The way you treat others reflects in how you are treated, and hospitality should not be repaid with hostility." She paused, looking him over. "You're not off to a very good start. My name is Captain Mallory Thorne, and you are on my ship."

"I'm Roman Gant, executive officer." The male officer introduced himself.

"And we've already met." Kristiana added, stepping forward and holding up a picture for Cor to see. "After you were escorted out of sickbay a nurse told me you'd been asking for this?"

Cor's eyes widened. "Yena!" He said, standing up and crossing the distance to the forcefield. He looked at Mallory. "They do on my world as well. Though typically if we're hosting someone in our medical bay and they request to speak to our commander, we let them." Cor said, casting a glare in Kristiana's direction.

"That being said, it is no excuse for acting how I did. I'm having to take in the fact that I nearly died, a traitor could have just wiped out everyone I knew, my ship is probably not in flyable condition and I don't even know where I am." Cor sighed, "so my apologies if I was disrespectful to you and your crew."

As Cor spoke, he held himself more and more like an experienced military veteran.

"Had you requested I would have considered. But you didn't request to speak with the captain. You demanded." Kristiana spoke, calmly. "You demanded, while screaming, after threatening, when you couldn't get me to allow a person we don't know, from a people we don't know, serving a military we don't know, communicate to a faction we don't know using a communication system we don't control. That's a very high security risk right there."

"You have had to take much in, but your presence here has given us a lot to take in as well. An entire ship to protect, and all my crew," Mal said. "My two-ex-oh took the proper steps to assure the safety of those from someone we have no knowledge of. I'm afraid you face something of an uphill battle to assure us that you are not, in fact, a threat. I am sure if it was one of us ending up upon your vessel, you'd be concerned as well."

"Of course, captain. I understand your stance on this matter. I do wish to thank you for rescuing me, as well." Cor said. "I have no weapons and no way to communicate with my people, I assure you I am no threat." Cor's eyes travelled down to the picture still in Kris's hand.

"I have faithfully served the Rokori Imperial Guard for many years, I apologize for my actions, and wish for your forgiveness and understanding in these troubling times."

"For my part, you have my sympathy, and I do understand your situation. I am prepared to give you this picture, but it's up to the captain to decide when we can release you and to what level of freedom. My recommendations will be the same ones I outlined to you during our - discussion." Kristiana explained, taking a step towards the forcefield. "Now, please take three steps away from the forcefield."

As he did Kristiana deactivated the forcefield and stepped into the cell to hand him the picture, stepping back out of the cell to raise the forcefield again afterwards.

Mallory nodded in acknowledgement to his words, but remained quiet while Petrova stepped forward to give him the photograph that he wanted. Once she was back outside and the field in place, Mal went on, "Your apology is accepted, and it is appreciated." She paused, glancing between Roman and Kristiana before turning back to Ive. "I would like to know what the item on your collar was that you went for while speaking with Commander Petrova."

Cor momentarily hugged the picture to his chest, before he responded. "Rank insignia. But it is equipped with a disabler, that makes a high pitched noise that can temporarily disable those sensitive to loud noises. It's harmless otherwise. It's designed in case we're captured on board our own vessel, to disable the captors and allow us to escape."

"You will forgive us for holding on to it for now then, considering the circumstances." Kristiana mused. "Taking into account your comment as we came in, I feel a more elaborate introduction is warranted. This is the Starfleet ship USS Odin, representing the United Federation of Planets. The UFP is an interstellar union of planetary governments, existing semi-autonomously under a single central government based on the principles of universal liberty, rights, and equality. Our main goals are to pursue peaceful cooperation, scientific development, space exploration, and mutual defense." Every Starfleet officer knew this description by heart, the basic creed in every brochure. "And we do not torture."

"No, we do not," Mal agreed flatly, not adding her thoughts about certain types of briefings held at...well, at the headquarters she had not idea when--or if--she'd see again. "We will be holding onto the rank insignia for now, lest you are troubled again by your circumstances and use it against my crew. However, as a gesture of good will, I am willing to let you out of the brig. You will have limited range of the ship, but for the time being, not your ship." Or what was left of it.

Cor mulled his options over for a few moment before nodding. "That is...agreeable." He sounded like he wanted to say more, but didn't.

Mallory nodded in acknowledgement. She had her reservations about this, to say the least, but given that they were still strangers in a strange land... Well, she'd give him a chance. "Anything else you wish to add?" she asked the others. Roman shook his head, and Mal swung her eyes to Kristiana.

"Before we can release you I will have to enter you in our computer and set your clearances. It will only take a few minutes, and I can do that from here. Other than that, I think we're good." she gave a nod to Roman and Mallory.

"See to it please, Commander," Mal said to Kris. She turned back to the prisoner. "Once she had done that, you'll be released. I hope that we can continue on a more...congenial path from here." With a faint smile, she nodded at Roman so that the pair could leave and let Petrova finish up here. The captain paused at the door for a moment and said over her shoulder. "Welcome to the Odin, Cor Ive."

=/\= End Log =/\=

Captain Mallory Thorne, Lieutenant Commander Kristiana Petrova & Cor Ive

 

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