Further Investigations

Posted on 09 Apr 2020 @ 7:00pm by Commander Kristiana Petrova & Captain Mallory Thorne

1,035 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Changing Faces
Location: Union Delegate's Quarters

Kristiana had a number of names to interview on her list. The Union delegates, for one. They had the most reason to dislike the Seelie and wish harm upon them. Though it still didn't really add up, to the Russian woman. Still, she found herself heading to the Union delegates quarters, where she nodded to the two security guards standing outside, and rang the doorbell.

This is a disaster... This is such a disaster...

That was the record playing again and again in the mind of Helena, senior aide to the ambassador. She had done most of the legwork setting up this diplomatic meeting with the coalition, and now this! Oh, what on Terra were they going to do about all this... Had one of theirs done it? She couldn't imagine.

And yet...

The chime rang and she jumped, as tense as she was. "Enter?" she called, her voice just far enough above a squeak to be heard on the other side.

Once bade enter Kristiana did thusly. "Kristiana Petrova, acting ship's Ex Oh and leading the investigation into the Seelie delegate's death," she introduced herself. "Can I ask you a few questions?"

"Of course," Helena said timidly. She gestured to the couch in the living section of her guess accommodations and then sat down herself. She didn't offer anything to drink since she was still unsure about the replicator. "I'll help however I can."

"Thank you." Kris sat down as invited, waiting for Helena to sit down as well before speaking. "What can you tell me about this war? And these peace talks? What's the war about? How serious are these talks?"

That was a lot all at once. Helena's eyes widened slightly and she blinked, then took a slow breath in and out. "The Terran Union has always existed on the concept of expansion," she said. Others called it "conquest," but she always stuck to the party line. "As I'm sure you can imagine, that isn't something that always set well with the neighbors, as it were. There's also a history of distrust for shapeshifting races, given how easily they can fool people."

"Hm." Kristiana said. To her, 'expansionist' only meant 'conquest' if it came at the expense of established civilizations. She continued to listen. To her, in order to fully understand any possible motive, she'd need to understand the conflict.

"Decades ago, the union moved to expand into an area of space that was loosely held by a shapeshifer race, and conflict ensued. The shifter races soon banded together and it became a war," Helena went on. "It's been several years since conflicts ceased, and now we are trying to move beyond a simple cease-fire to at least a truce; something that can allow trade and interaction."

"I see. So ... " Kristiana pondered a moment. "Sounds to me like peace is something that both parties want. Who would benefit from a re-escalation of hostilities, though?"

Helena sighed and looked at her hands where they rested in her lap, considering the question for several long, silent moments before shaking her head. "I don't know who would benefit," she finally said, "but I know that old hatreds can die hard. It has only been a few years. Maybe there's still persons who think...this is a bad idea..."

"And what do you think?" Kristiana asked, pointedly. Every little gesture, every hesitation, every expression on this representative Helena was a clue, and Kris watched her very carefully.

"What do I think about the peace talks, or what do I think about if someone might think it's a bad idea?" Helena asked, meeting the other woman's eyes again and frowning slightly.

"Both." Kris replied.

"I think the peace talks are a good idea," Helena said emotionally. "To make some sort of peace accord with the Seelie would be of such a huge benefit to the health and longevity of the union. I'm not sure we can make it without it, as the Seelie are...formidable foes. We are better off with them on our side, or at least not being on their bad side." Then she deflated a little with a sigh. "But I know not everyone agrees. Hatred can last a long time, you know? There could easily be people in either group that don't feel like I do. But I don't know who."

"Hm." Kristiana steepled her fingers, lost in thought for a few moments. "How well do you know your fellow Union delegates? And do you know Lieutenant Colonel Tage Gillis, Union representative installed on this ship to - ... evaluate us?"

Helena frowned, genuinely distressed at the answer she was about to give. "I don't know them much at all. Most of them were just assigned to the task. The ambassador herself is the only one I've worked with before, and I've been her personal aide for years. I'm sure she's not involved. But the rest?" She shrugged helplessly. "And Tage Gillis? No, I'm afraid that name isn't familiar. I'm sorry."

"Tell me about the ambassador." Kristiana asked, leaning back, steepling her fingers. "You said you're sure she's not involved. What makes you so sure?"

"She's a good woman," Helena said with fervor. "She has been a strong believer in achieving this peace, and she isn't the type at all to sanction murder."

"Strong believer, huh. Has she been actively involved with pursuing this potential treaty, or is that other people's work?" Knowing how involved the ambassador was would say a lot about the woman.

"She's been actively involved," Helena replied, "along with several others."

"Hmm." Kris seemed lost in thought for a moment before she rose to her feet again. "I have no more questions right now. Though if I do have more I'll be back. Thank you for your time."

Helena got to her feet as well and nodded with a worried smile. "Of course, Commander," she said. "If there's anything else I can do, please just let me know. We'll do whatever we can to help figure out what happened here."

"Appreciated. Meanwhile if you think of something, you can contact me through the computer. Just ask for me." Kristiana explained, turning to walk out.

=/\= End Log =/\=

 

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