Due Diligence

Posted on Mon Jan 18th, 2021 @ 11:06pm by Major Ashley Rogers & Lieutenant Hatham tr'Krotash
Edited on on Mon Jan 18th, 2021 @ 11:15pm

2,206 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Chapter III: The Hunt is On
Location: Rogers' Quarters
Timeline: 238701.22

Hatham walked, almost stalked actually, down the corridor toward Rogers' quarters. As much as he got along with the security chief, it wasn't normal for him visit her outside of her office. However, what he had to ask wasn't quite official and given the subject not something he wanted to bring up in more public areas, or even in her office. His ingrained aparanoia about every area of a ship being subject to surveillance tweaked even at a metting in her quarters, but (a) she always seemed to be with someone when out around the station, and (b) if she really was ex-Sec31 he expected that she had secured her quarters against every known bug..

It was still a risk. As he activated the door signal, he told himself he didn't have much choice but to take it. Every check from every contact he'd been able to tap said that Ellie Greaves was dead, or perhaps more accurately, her hsip had been destroyed and she was presumed dead along with the rest since she had not contacted Starfleet to report otherwise. She hadn't made a great impression on him when he'd met her, but now that it looked like she was an imposter or some kind of ghost, he was far more disconcerted. If she was only Raven's lover, he'd make a mental note and watch her; maybe change ships if further observation or information gave him reason, but this was the woman Raven had tasked with making arrangements for evacuating the crews' families - HIS family - from the RSE. Time was running out and he used every other avenue he had. Now he had to hope Rogers could, and would, help him.

Ash furrowed her brow at the sound of her door, she's not the most social member of the crew, it would be odd for anyone to randomly drop by unannounced. "Come in," she said, hand hovering over her sidearm. When she saw who it was, she was even more confused, "Hatham? What brings you here? If you're collecting on our bet, you're going to have to give me some warning..."

"I'm not in need of more booze. Yet." Hatham's mouth twitched in a brief smile, before his expression reverted to serious after the door closed behind him. "But I'd be willing to change to pay out. I need information and my own contacts only go so far for Starfleet."

Ash raised a curious eyebrow, "Oh?" She nodded knowingly and walked over to activate a small device, "Signal jammer. One can never be too careful. So, what kind of information do you need?" It was definitely unlike a Romulan to ask for help, especially ask for help from a human. While she was flattered, she is also aware that it must be a serious ask.

Hatham felt a slight relief at the signal jammer, but there was no jammer that would protect him if she was already aligned with Greaves or so loyal to Raven that she'd turn on him - it was possibility he had to consider, but he'd decided he had at least enough sense of Rogers to think she'd understand his concern for his family. "I need information on a Starfleeter that turned up on this ship. In the Colonel's quarters, despite every source I've checked saying she's dead." He paused, eyes on Rogers' to gauge her reaction, but also being as frank as any Romulan could be with a human. "I'll understand if you want nothing to do with this, but the Colonel has given this woman responsibility for arranging transport for my family, and the others', off Romulus. I have to know if if she's playing us."

Ash nodded silently and sat down, waving at the nearby chair for Hatham to do the same, "Her name wouldn't happen to be Ellie would it? If so, you really might want to sit down for this."

He felt his gut tighten. Whatever Rogers knew, he sensed it wasn't good. "Yes," he said tightly, taking the offered seat.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush. I'm not sure she is who Raven thinks she is. I haven't had a chance to talk to her yet about it because I wanted to make sure. Can't just go accusing your boss' ex... current... whatever girlfriend of being not what they appear to be," Ash explained as she looked at Hatham. "I don't know what she promised you or Raven about rescuing people off of Romulus nor do I know what exactly her motivations are... but I found her sneaking around the science lab. She was curious about the vessel that Mila and I have been working on. To spare you the technical mumbo jumbo, that ship is from the future. And it's from an alternate universe. Ellie claimed she is a Temporal Agent. Everything seemed to check out so far with that story. There's something about Hobus. Mila and I can't figure out why that ship was headed there or was there. It's been a mystery. What exactly did she promise you?"

That explained why the woman had disappeared... Hatham ground his teeth. "She promised she had contacts who could get transports in and out of Romulus. Raven seemed to trust her, so I didn't question her as I might have otherwise. So I made my own checks, which is how I learned that the woman is listed as dead." He looked down at hands that had clenched into tight fists. Was this woman part of a plot to destroy his homeworld, his Empire? A Starfleet Temporal Agent involved with Hobus practically spiked every Romulan instinct toward paranoia. "If she is part of plot to destroy Romulus, my family is even more in danger." He started to rise. "I need to start making other arrangements."

Ash felt as angry as Hatham did, "I have no doubt she probably does have those contacts... but without knowing her motives... I have no idea what the hell she was doing here. That ship in our shuttlebay might have answers for us. But I know you don't want answers. You want to save your family. And I will do whatever I can to help you. You have my word." She scoffed at her own words. A Starfleet Temporal Agent is involved... if she was Hatham she wouldn't trust a former Starfleet Section 31 Agent either. "I have some connections, not many but I am willing to call in some favors."

Her word... the word of Starfleet's version of the Tal'Shiar was not especially reassuring, even if she had left the organization (always a big if with such things). And yet, they had fought together, had each other's backs; that wasn't meaningless. "You'll forgive me if I check on whoever provides those favors." It wasn't a question. "But you should know it's more than my family. Others on this crew have the same need. We'd begun working together and I am honor bound to inform them too." His mouth twisted. "And hope they won't kill me since I foolishly trusted the Colonel and shared the information on all of our families and preparations to date with her and this Ellie."

"Of course, I'd do the same if I were you," Ash said shaking her head. "Look, I've never said I'm the most trustworthy person. I have more than my share of blood on my hands, both those that deserved it..." she paused before continuing, "And those that didn't. I don't want to have more innocent lives hanging over my head if I could do something to help them, for you and your family and anyone else on this crew. You have little reason to trust me and I get that. But I promise you, that I will always be on the side of saving as many lives as possible. So, what plans did you share with Ellie? Her, I don't trust. But I want to give Raven the benefit of the doubt... I don't think she knows the truth about Ellie."

He hesitated a moment, but the information had already been given to Raven so if Rogers wanted for an unsavory purpose, she could get it. If she was sincere about helping - and despite his usual instincts, he somehow believed she was - then it was worth sharing it. Taking a PaDD from within his vest, he keyed in a series of passcodes and then handed it to Rogers. "This is what I gave her - the information that would be needed to arrange documents for internal travel and contacts to arrange pick up points." The admission was bitter in his mouth. He'd trusted Raven, and so despite his impression of her had at least somewhat trusted Ellie. Even if Ellie had deceived Raven, that prior trust was badly damaged. After all, how much could you trust the judgment of someone who couldn't even recognize an imposter posing as a lover? "Raven may be sincere in wanting to help us, and she's been a good mercenary captain, but I can't leave the fate of my family in her hands. Not anymore."

Ash studied the PADD, it was a solid start, "This is a good plan, but there's a pretty big missing piece. On what ship are we evacuating these people? If we come in with Ourainavassa... we'd get it done but there would be no stealth about it. What we have is the shuttle bay won't be able to evacuate many... Let your contacts know that they may have been compromised and to be careful. Best case scenario, we are being paranoia, worse case... we may be saving their lives. We can keep working independently on this, without Raven. If she comes through, she comes through... I agree, we don't have any margin of error on this."

"Yes," he agreed, sighing heavily. "I had hoped she could provide the travel documents, but it's best if we find other means. The biggest issue is transport. I and the others should have enough from our shares and savings to pay for it, but we haven't found a reliable smuggler." Hatham looked down, frowning. "I may need to steal another ship."

"Well... I may know someone that can help with the ship. And maybe even the travel documents. It's the same man that gave us the intel on tbe Ourainavassa. I would say I trust him with my life... but... full disclosure, our relationship may have gotten more complicated recently," Ash runs her hand through her hair as she usually did when she's uncomfortable. "The guy is my ex-fiance's father... and my ex is now the chef on board.... so... it'll be a bit awkward. But it's for a good cause. Thoughts?"

Hatham blinked slowly. It was a lot to process. Rogers' life seemed ...complicated... and it was complicating his, but the data on the Ourainavassa had been solid... And he didn't have a lot of other options right now. He lifted an eyebrow at Ash. "Should I worry about eating in the mess after you ask?"

"I'd hope not... she's one of the best chefs that I know and she's a far better person than I am. If anything, I'm the one that probably needs to stock up on rations...." Ash admitted. "Renee would always help out those in need... she came out here to make a difference. And if a difference needs to be made anywhere, it's definitely here. I'm glad you came to me with this, Hatham. There's no need to struggle with this alone." She couldn't believe she said that... she's been spending too much time with the twins....

"I'm not alone - there are few dozen of us - but I seem to have been elected spokesman to the non-Romulans running the ship. Maybe because I've worked fairly closely with you," he admitted. "I appreciate the help, but you know I'm going to check on Renee, and we're all going to keep working on back-up plans. Don't be offended. It's just our way."

"Offense never crossed my mind. I don't blame you. Do what you need to do. And quite frankly, I don't need to know who else you're working with. As far as I'm concerned, we never even had this conversation. You will just owe me a drink when you introduce me to your family once they're rescued. I look forward to seeing if I can get them to tell me baby Hatham stories," Ash smirked.

Hatham snorted. "If we buy you drinks to celebrate, you won't remember anyway."

Ash narrowed her eyes at Hatham, unable to deny the accuracy of his statement. "I'll find a way..." she mumbled in defeat.

"My mother was an estate vinter, so I promise the quality of drink will at least be memorable," Hatham replied with a smile as he got up, his mood lightening as he imagined her rescued and settled where she could ply her trade. "And you will never want for free ale from any of us."

"Good because that's where I'll get my stock to pay back our bets," Ash said, glad that Hatham seemed to be in a better mood than he was when he walked in.

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