Verifying A Rumor

Posted on Sat Feb 1st, 2025 @ 8:28am by Admiral Audra Milne & Emilie Temple

Mission: The Only Thing Left Was Hope
Location: Earth - San Francisco
Timeline: After "Villains"

ON:

[Starfleet Headquarters - Earth, San Francisco]

Admiral Milne sighed loudly as she attempted to walk towards her office door.

"I understand your special interest in this matter, Mr. Temple, but I cannot divulge that information!" The Admiral insisted as she walked.

Magnus Temple huffed just as loudly, trailing after Milne, the younger Temple brother having confronted the Admiral as she arrived for work that morning.

"So, there is something to divulge?" Magnus pressed, vying for her attention. "The rumor is true?"

Milne stopped and turned on her heel, conscious that there were plenty of other Starfleet officers milling about the corridor, some of their eyes turning to the two of them. It wasn't unusual for a staff member from the Palais de la Concorde to visit Starfleet in San Francisco - the Minister of the Exterior, for whom Magnus Temple worked, was a regular in this building. But having such an emphatic conversation out in the open was definitely unusual.

"I don't know what you've heard and from who, but I am not at liberty to discuss Starfleet operations." Milne insisted. "And I certainly do not indulge in rumors."

"I have sources in Starfleet that can confirm it." Magnus insisted, his desperation evident.

Milne turned back to him; eyes withering as her patience thinned. "Come." She ordered, head jerking towards her office door.

The two entered Milne's office and as soon as they did, Audra activated her security protocols to ensure their conversation was protected.

"Who?" Milne asked as she moved to sit behind her desk. "Give me names."

Magnus shook his head, "There are far too many to silence now, Admiral. People talk, even Starfleet."

Milne leaned back in her chair, looking the Temple brother up and down. He had the same eyes as Nycolas, she noticed, a pale blue with a large black iris. The same curtness in the face of authority, as no doubt Magnus was used to getting his way in the Palais de la Concorde corridors. But he was fairer than Nycolas, he had that softness of face that usually came with those who did not work in Starfleet. Starfleet service tended to harden one's stress lines more prominently.

"Then tell me what you've heard." Milne finally said, "What has brought you storming into my office at such an early hour today, without an appointment or following proper protocol?"

"That my brother Nycolas is being hunted by the USS Marigold, for allegedly stealing Starfleet property." Magnus answered, raising an eyebrow. "Is it true?"

"I can neither confirm nor deny such a thing." Milne replied coldly. "Starfleet does not divulge information regarding internal investigations, if indeed one was even happening."

"Not even to the Office of the Exterior?" Magnus baulked, trying to throw the weight of his job into the mix, "The Federation Government has a right to know if Starfleet is hunting one of their own Captains, and why."

"And the Federation would be briefed, if such an event were to occur, during the appropriate channels and at the appropriate time." Milne stated with ice in her breath. "And only if said briefing would not compromise said internal investigation, IF such an event were occurring."

"I know he was searching for the Pandora; I know he was apparently abducted by some mysterious man." Magnus did not relent, "His own crew told me so. Now other sources are telling me that he was apparently found stealing tech and he's being pursued for it? If that is all true, your investigation is already compromised, Admiral."

Milne shook her head, "Again, I am not indulging in rumors, sir."

"He told me to seek you out if I ever needed to," Magnus said, "He trusts you."

"If Captain Temple was in danger, then I would help him." Milne replied - and it was the truth, she was already doing so.

Magnus crossed his arms, "He's my brother, Admiral."

"No, he is a Starfleet Captain. First and always, he wears the uniform and the badge, he is our responsibility." Milne shot back, "And Starfleet will handle their own operations, thank you." She indicated to the doorway, hoping Magnus would get the hint.

"Others are already talking," Magnus warned, "If this is part of something... important, and keeping it secret is just as important, then let me help you."

"You can help me by telling me names," Audra stated firmly, "Tell me who is divulging this information."

Magnus thought about it for a moment, pursing his lips together, "Do I have your assurance that Nyx is not about to be arrested and imprisoned? Or any of his crew?"

"I cannot make such a promise." Milne shook her head, "It goes against Starfleet - "

"Yeah, Starfleet protocol, I know." Magnus interjected with a sigh.

"Sir, I have graced your inappropriate behavior for far longer than I should, out of respect for your brother," Milne seethed, "Using your credentials to gain admittance to Starfleet HQ, accosting me in the foyer with your demands, making threats of breaches in Starfleet Intelligence. I have a damn mind to file a complaint to the Minister!"

Magnus took a step back, "I..."

"I know you are worried about Nycolas," Milne continued, "But this is not the way you go about channeling your concern. You are crossing a line."

Magnus bowed his head, looking to the floor. He had let his fear and panic over-ride his normal mind, he felt the heat leaving his voice as embarrassment began to set in. "You are right, Admiral. Please, I apologize for my behavior."

Audra nodded a little, "I get it. But that was too far."

Magnus frowned, "I'm sorry." He bit his lip as he felt the sadness seeping over his thoughts, "I'm so worried sick about him. So is Emilie. She's not coping."

"We will do everything we can to assist Captain Temple and all Starfleet officers in service," Audra replied, her tone softening too. "You don't know me but know that Nyx trusts me. And for a reason."

"I will remember that." Magnus nodded, sheepishly running his hand through his hair.

"Starfleet has its protocols, for a reason." Milne continued, "I know you have not served but I remind you to respect those who do next time."

"If I had followed protocols, would I have gotten a different answer?" Magnus asked pointedly, giving a resigned shrug.

"No." Milne replied quickly, "Because it is not Starfleet protocol to provide an answer in this context."

Magnus smiled a little, knowing that would be the response. He could only shrug again, "If there is anything you can tell me..."

"I will tell you personally, Mr. Temple." Audra nodded, "As soon as I am able to."

"Thank you." Magnus replied, earnestly thanking the Admiral for her time.

[Later]

Outside, Magnus departed from Starfleet HQ to find Emilie sitting in the courtyard by herself. She had not been able to go inside the building as a civilian and had to wait for Magnus to return. She had stayed in the plaza, watching officers coming and going. She noticed how many of the younger ones walked with their arms held stiffly behind their backs, while the older ones walked with more vigor and confidence. Some of them gave her a curt nod as they did. As soon as she saw her brother-in-law exiting, Emilie stood up expectantly.

"Well?" She asked.

"Admiral Milne couldn't tell me anything." Magnus said defeated. He looked back up at the building, towards the upper levels where he had just been. For such a beautiful building, it did like to keep its secrets. "Not protocol."

Emilie was deflated, she just shook her head, "Damn. At least he's not in some Federation prison though... is he?"

"No," Magnus laughed a little, "That she would tell me, I know. Plus the Admiral kept referring to him as 'Captain', and saying he was in service. Maybe that's a good sign?"

"Right." Emilie nodded along, "If he was some fugitive, they wouldn't call him a captain still. That means he's still considered one of them?"

"I think so." Magnus said shakily, then he looked at Emilie's concerned face, "I'm confident that is the case." He said just to reassure her.

"So, what now? Can we get back in touch with your contact, the officer who told you about all of this?" Emilie asked.

Magnus took another look back at the building, the Starfleet officers coming in and out. He put an arm around Emilie and led her away, where they could not be overheard. They walked into the gardens, finding a quiet spot.

"Hara was adamant." Magnus answered quietly when they were far enough away, "He'd been working on the science station Khonsu when it was destroyed by some strange anomaly. But he said a mystery man had rescued the crew, apparently appearing out of nowhere at the last minute. Then, the crew were picked up by the USS Marigold. When the Marigold went back to the Khonsu site to see if they could save what remained, that's when they encountered Nyx."

Emilie frowned, "He was sure it was Nyx?"

"Yes," Magnus modded, "Hara said the Marigold believed Nyx had stolen something from the Khonsu wreckage and were pursuing him. That's the last he heard, he was transferred off to DS12 not long after."

"What would Nyx be doing at a destroyed science station?" Emilie asked, "How is that helping to find the Pandora?"

"I don't know if it is," Magnus suggested, "My friend said the Khonsu was destroyed by an anomaly. Perhaps that's what Nyx is chasing now?"

"I don't like this, Magnus." Emilie said, her tone turning frightful, "We don't know where he is or what he's up to. I guess... I mean, at least if Starfleet is watching him, they could help him, right?"

Magnus shrugged, "Admiral Milne said she would help him, I can only trust that she will."

"Can we speak to Lieutenant Hara again, see if he remembers anything else?" Emilie pushed. The door to Starfleet had closed, this was her only resource now. "If, it's not too awkward, for you."

"Lieutenant Hara and I were just friends," Magnus replied, his tone lighter. "I'll see what I can do. But Milne didn't take too kindly to the officers talking to me and I don't want to get him in trouble."

Emilie nodded, "I can't sit around and do nothing, Magnus."

"I know." Magnus replied softly. "We won't."

OFF