A Plea

Posted on Mon Sep 21st, 2020 @ 9:12am by Captain Nycolas Temple & Commander Owen Nash & Lieutenant Declan Roderick

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: XO's Office

ON:

The Lieutenant was tired of sitting around in his guest quarters. He felt he could be put to good use, and so far, he was not used to being left in the dark. Having had operated the facility on Hesiod Green, he now felt he was left without a purpose.

Tagging the chime to Commander Nash's XO Office, he awaited a call from within. The computer had informed him that the XO was on board.

Owen looked up from his desk as he worked away at various PADDs, getting caught up on what had happened whilst he had been off ship on his "Away Mission" and working out the clues to this whole conspiracy. As it turned out, a lot had gone on whilst he was away.

Part of the reason he was working through so many reports was due to the meeting that he was due to have with Captain Temple and Owen knew he would be on the way.

"Come in," he said as he put down the PADD that he was working on.

Relieved there was someone he could speak too, Declan took a moment and then entered before him was the XO in what had looked to be serious paperwork. Given the mission, he was not surprised.

“Commander Nash,” He gave a salute. “Lieutenant Roderick, Pithos Facility Operations.” He coughed, still having lung irritation. Sickbay had given him bromaline steroids for his chest heaviness, which had helped.

“I understand you are very busy,” He spoke. His mind begging to help the situation. “I need to know, is there anything I can do to help?”

Owen looked Lieutenant Roderick up and down and could see that he'd been through quite a lot, however, there were questions left from the reports that he had been reading about the various actions that had taken place planetside.

"Stand easy and take a seat, Lieutenant," Owen said as he gestured to a seat on the other side of this desk. Once Roderick had sat himself down, Owen sat back with one of the PADDs in his hand that held several reports about the actions of officers planetside.

"You ask what you can do to help, Mr Roderick, but I'll be honest, as Executive Officer of the USS Pandora, I have some questions about your actions within the Pithos Facility," Owen explained. He paused for a second.

"And I need those answering before I consider allowing you to function as part of the Pandora crew. I need to know that I can rely on you to do your job as a Starfleet Officer and work hard abroad this ship, Mr Roderick. I also know that the Captain shares the same concerns, so be glad that you decided to come and see me first," Owen said.

He didn't like being this way, but with all the trouble and difficulties that the Pandora crew had been through, Owen needed to make sure that he had the best onboard for the journey home.

Declan slowly nodded. He had a feeling there would be hot seats all around for the Pithos Facility. "If you access to my ongoing Starfleet reports, you would see I am a genuinely dedicated, meticulous, officer." He paused. And stifled yet another cough coming his way, and calmed it.

"Sir. Pithos may not have been an open book, but I held the books operationally. I recorded my actions per day if that helps." He understood fully, Commander Nash and Captain Temple had questions.

Owen nodded as Lieutenant Roderick made it clear that he kept logs of his work and time at the Pithos Facility and expected nothing less of a serving Starfleet officer.

"I'm well aware of the logs you kept whilst at the base, Lieutenant, what I'm also aware of are the reports from the Pandora's Senior Officers who were also planetside and it's your actions as reported by them that also concerns me," Owen said sternly. At that moment, Owen stood up and walked around from his desk to sit on the edge of it and face Lieutenant Roderick

"To be clear, Mister, I'm looking for the best officers possible to see aboard this ship," Owe began.

"We're an Exploratory vessel, Luna class, one of the finest ships in all of Starfleet. We've been our here for several years in the Expanse, fighting Ravagers, Breen, Talarians and also facing up against and exploring Phenomena that have pushed this crew to the limits and beyond...Yet, they have stayed at their posts, done their duty and not shown the slightest weakness whilst performing that duty." Owen took a breath before carrying on.

"That's what I'm looking for in you. If you can do that, under the intense pressure that we have operated in, then you're a fine addition to the crew. If the Captain agrees to my recommendation. Now... convince me that you are worthy of that recommendation," Owen said as he crossed his arms and waited.

Declan slowly nodded. He understood what the Commander was saying. Whilst he wanted to see survivors guilt, Roderick did not have any. "Sir," He began slowly. He looked around the office, the beautiful stars cape around. He had wished so many times that he could have left Hesiod. He was stationed on Pithos with one task, to keep the operations working. He did his best despite. He seen good officers thrown under the bus, come and go through this whole saga of operation. "Wiliest I was a part of Pithos facility Sir." he began. "I did my best in my job. My records show that I had indeed apply for transfer many times..." He looked around, as if a starship could come and take him away from that hole in the ground that was Pithos. "I was depressed, yet I fought onward. I was denied many times, told that I was invaluable."

He shook his head. "When it comes down to it, those operations that was on the teetering when your team joined us for that brief last moment... I kept those operations humming to the tune when the walls were falling down around everyone. My station, Sir." he grimaced. "My station, my office, my dog, my lover. I lost it all. If it wasn't for your team, your dedication to beam down and check things out... I would still be down there. You saved my life, Pandora saved my life. I owe what I can. While I was not on the hotline for every decision that our base commanders made, I was held to the grind." He felt he was on trial. He was always on trial when he was down on Pithos. Now he was on trial on Pandora. "So when you ask why I didn't stand at my station? Sir, you weren't there to see that I had no station left. If it wasn't for Aeryn pulling me to safety, helping me. I would be dead. Call it survivors guilt, maybe that's what you want from me. I don't know what else to tell you. My actions are for everyone to see. I won't beg. I won't beg again, I begged enough to be transferred. To have my girlfriend transferred to safety. My life was long gone by the time your crew had beamed down a few hours back there. I can't beg the Federation for something that I was dedicated to." By all accounts, the facility had remained in structure for as long as it did, due to the many backups he had overseen. The safeguards that kicked in, allowing emergency exits to be accessed was in part Declan's doing. He was astonished.

After Declan had made his case, the door chimed. Owen looked up and said, "Come in". A Moment later and Captain Temple walked into the room.

Temple was accidentally dropping by in a way that was entirely intentional; Captain's don't normally just happen upon such conversations. He needed to know exactly what had occurred on Pithos and who was culpable of making the decisions which had decimated Hesiod Green. There was a seething determination within Nyx that he was going force Starfleet to see the mounting evidence of corruption, whether they wanted to or not, and those responsible would never see a clear blue sky again. First, he needed to figure out where Roderick stood and what they could gain from his testimony.

"Captain, I was about to call you," Owen said. "Lieutenant Roderick and I have just been talking."

"Of course." Temple demurred as he entered, feeling the density of emotions in the room. "I hope you don't mind me stopping by."

Declan stood up from his seat recognizing the Captain, his uniform and rank. He nodded and gave a salute. "Sir."

Temple smiled, indicating for the Lieutenant to reclaim his seat, "At ease, please." And Nyx did the same, taking the couch nearby.

Owen took in what Lieutenant Roderick explained and it was clear that whilst he had been in the facility, Roderick had seen a lot. After relaying what the Lieutenant had explained, Owen looked at Captain Temple.

"If you want my opinion sir, I believe that the Lieutenant would be a credible witness to the actions and situations that took place at the facility," he began. "For what its worth, I also feel that whilst we are in the Expanse and still in unfriendly territory, we need all the help on board that we can get." Owen took a breath before continuing. "With his current background, the Lieutenant would be of use in Operations, but I'll leave that decision to your good self...all I can do is offer an...option."

"I've always valued your opinion, Mr. Nash," Nyx replied with a nod, though his tone was light. "Mr. Roderick, I appreciate that you've been through significant trauma in the past few days, and a harrowing time over the previous six months. But I believe we have uncovered a significant conspiracy revolving around the Pithos Facility. We need to know who planned, approved, built, and commanded that facility. It is vital that we have all the evidence that we can."

Owen sat forward in his chair. "Any help or information you can give us will be of incredible value, Lieutenant," he said. He knew it was difficult for Declan and despite their opening remarks earlier, Owen could tell there was an honest streak in this officer.

Nyx sighed and crossed his legs, "First, let's begin with recruitment. How did you first learn of the facility, who contacted you and how?"

"I have no knowledge of who approved Pithos facility." He offered sadly. He thought hard. "I do know that the plans for the structure, the designers, the engineers who had originally constructed the facility were guarded. As Operations, I have questions of specifics, structural stats., etc. I was not allowed to contact, my queries were intercepted." He was of course open to all plans of the facility in data bases, to run effectively, yet he couldn't contact the actual teams. "My communication channels were monitored, that I know, Sir."

"Your second question. I was contacted by Starfleet Engineer Corps. The facility was extremely top secret project, as you are aware." He checked his PADD he had and handed it to Captain Temple. "A Doctor Linux O'Dreary, along with Centralized Operations specifically intervened. I was stationed on then USS Wildcat along with Aeryn Jameson at the time, 2386." He remembered.

Temple frowned at this and tapped some information into a PADD. He turned it around to show Roderick and Nash a picture, "Is this the man?" Temple asked.

Roderick eyed the screen image. He nodded, "That is him. Doctor O'Dreary, Sir."

"I see. Unfortunately, Doctor O'Dreary died ten years ago." Temple replied with a sigh. "We believe Admiral Thac has been using profiles of deceased or missing Starfleet personnel to create his web of lies. Falsifying records and impersonating officials to give his project legitimacy in the eyes of Starfleet and the Federation. It took a lot of digging but O'Dreary's name comes up on a lot of approved Pithos construction contracts, with dates, names, and locations changed from their original form. It is likely, therefore, that you were recruited by Thac himself."

Nyx stared at the man with intensity, trying to read his every facial expression, "What were you told specifically about the project? About its location, how you'd travel there from the USS Wildcat?"

The Lieutenant felt the burning gaze from Captain Temple. He knew he was being questioned, and what he would say would have an impact on his career, his life. He grieved for the lives destroyed.

"Admiral Thac heralded Pithos as a world that would bring a turning point in federation technological advancements." Declan shook his head. "We were all part of a greater purpose on Pithos. Our efforts would be rewarded." He furrowed his right eyebrow. As if he was only there for a promotion or accolades.

"Hesiod was a temperamental planet that could be harnessed. Many contractors were involved. I questioned Zilus Estamont. A base contractor of Bexor SSI when several problems arose." Roderick drew up the contract on his padd. "Zilus denied the contract existed, yet warned me about the reactors reaching their limits. The next day he was off the base."

"I was transferred from the Wildcat six months ago. This was a binding, non negotiated transfer. I was on a private transport to Hesiod on autopilot. The signature of the craft was scrambled. The USS Erindale… I believe it was brought out of retirement to take me to Pithos."

Nyx leaned back in his place, feeling the firm cushion behind him. "That correlates with what other Pithos crew are saying. Promises of some great new technology that will save lives and turn the course of Federation armament for years to come. Revolutionary shielding and weaponry that will make us invincible." The Captain shook his head, "Too good to be true. No wonder Thac had to pull so many tricks to get the project running; few would believe it would be worth experimenting without peer-reviewed, stringent supporting evidence and years of research to justify even an exploratory mission. Instead, he used smoke and mirrors to fast track his pet project, putting vanity and ego ahead of safety and Federation protocols. Hesiod Green burns because of him."

Declan felt a bit relieved on the inside. He wasn’t the only one who believed things were headed in the wrong direction on Pithos.

“I was operations, Sir.” He felt ashamed. “I was responsible for all the allotments of mission priorities on Pithos. How else would I proceed, when Command gaslighted the situation?” He wanted answers.

Nyx squinted a little, "I'd be wary of how much you wish to take responsibility for, Lieutenant, if it was indeed the Pithos leadership team who made the decisions. Saying that you are accountable for the allotment of mission priorities, for example, could sound like an omission of guilt. Did you mean that as Chief of Operations, you ensured the facility kept running, even though you publicly disagreed with the facility's purpose? And you only ensured the facility kept running to protect the lives of the people inside of it, even though you publicly disagreed with that they were doing?"

“I followed the planned allotment of resources as per facility requirements. I did not know, like other officers, what the hell they were trying to achieve. I maintained the essentials for human life on the facility as per my position.” He nodded. "I publicly could not say anything, as I didn't know Admiral Thac's motives or achievements. We were told we were on the verge of something great." He nodded slowly, eyeing Captain Nyx. "No misunderstanding."

The Captain nodded, albeit slowly, before changing tact, "Tell me, Lieutenant, the greatness Thac spoke of. The history-making mission that the scientists were trying to achieve. If it had been successful, the facility was not destroyed but it still effected the planet's surface, would you support it then?"

“Having had no prior knowledge of what the main outcome was, I don’t know if I could answer that before my six months of being stationed. I was not privy to the politics of it all.”

“Sir, knowing now, after the fact, if what you say is true. I would not have supported the… outcomes of the great leadership of the young Admiral Thac.” He grimaced.

Owen nodded as he'd been listening and taking notes whilst both Nyx and Roderick were talking. Looking up at them both from his PADD, he smiled, as it was clear that Roderick showed clear thinking that he knew right from wrong.

"Lieutenant, there are times in a Starfleet officers career that they must decide to either follow the rules or... do the right thing based on the fact before them," he said. "Based on what you have explained so far, I believe that you would have done the right thing and often, that's what Starfleet wants from its officers. People who will act for the good of their situation and not just blindly follow orders because a senior officer says its the right thing to do or says so."

Looking at Nyx, knowing that Owen was willing to do both if he needed to because he had that experience behind him, Owen smiled. "Of course sir, I would follow my excellently honed judgement in such situation and act upon my many years of experience," he added as a quip, knowing Nyx would wind him up later for that one.

"Please continue," Owen said.

Lieutenant Roderick sat listening. He knew full well his oath to starfleet service to do no harm to aliens, alien worlds, and to be best ambassador in every situation, that the morals and institutional bedrock that the Federation was built. "I understand, Sir."

Nyx nodded, "That's good to hear. Unfortunately, I won't have the final say on this matter. Once we return to Earth, there will likely be investigations and trials on the actions of those responsible for Pithos. If you tell the truth, as you have today, and show your recorded protests against Pithos' management, I am confident you won't face charges. If there is anything else that may help your case, anything you remember, however small it may be, don't hesitate to come forward to myself or Commander Nash. Every little detail will help."

"I understand Sir, to both of you. You have my deepest respect and cooperation." He nodded. He then got up. "Shall I report to the brig Sir?" He had heard that a number of Pithos facility officers were placed including Admiral Thac.

At his offering to go to the Brig, Owen looked up at Nyx with surprise that Roderick had suggested this course of action. With all of the Facilities Starfleet personnel aboard the Pandora, he knew that they weren't to capacity and had plenty of space for the new arrivals.

"Captain?" he asked, wondering what Nyx was thinking.

Nyx raised his hand, "I don't think that will be necessary. In fact, we're going to need a hand helping to settle the Hesians onto Hesiod Blue and making it back to Federation space. I hope to put you to work in our Ops and Engineering department if you're up for it?"

"Right away Sir!" He nodded. He was surprised.

"This is a ship of second chances." Nyx said with a smile, "There are few people here who have had an entirely perfect career, myself included. But we commit ourselves to fulfil the Federation ideals and learning from the past. If you can do that, you have a home here."

Hearing Nyx's decision and his reason behind it, Owen smiled as he realised that they had taken on another crew member who seemed to fit the almost virtual prerequisite to be on board the Pandora: You don't have to be perfect, you just have to be good at what you do.

Walking around from behind his desk, Owen walked up to Roderick and sook his hand. "Welcome aboard the Pandora, Mr Roderick," he said.

Temple followed suit and shook the Lieutenant's hand as well. "Indeed. Welcome aboard." Nyx said with a smile.

OFF