STF

Shipwide Side Sim: FCIS Interview - Wright

Posted Dec. 19, 2018, 10:40 p.m. by Colonel Calvin Harris (Commanding Officer) (Jerome Davis)

Posted by Ensign Levi Gordon (Doctor) in Shipwide Side Sim: FCIS Interview - Wright

Posted by Colonel Calvin Harris (Commanding Officer) in Shipwide Side Sim: FCIS Interview - Wright

Posted by Captain Molly Wright (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Shipwide Side Sim: FCIS Interview - Wright
Posted by… suppressed (17) by the Post Ghost! 👻
<snip>
Newton walked over to the door and peered outside.

“Ms. Wright. If you’d please join us.”

Molly had been sitting outside engaged in pleasant chatter with Ryan. After almost two years of no contact, it had been nice to have the opportunity to catch up. Her only wish being that it had been under different circumstances.

Smiling at Ryan one last time, Molly followed Newton into the room.

Inside, there was a small square table with four chairs around it. Newton sat in one of them and Cal was sitting on another. Surprised to see the Marine still in the room, Wright shot him a friendly smile as she sat on one of the remaining chairs. Something didn’t feel right. There was something in the glance that he shot her back that spoke of something wrong. For a moment Molly wondered about what Newton had told him. What had she done wrong?

Harris watched the young woman carefully. He was afraid to let a single feeling show as he processed the storm of emotions inside him. Did he still love her? Of course he did! The question wasn’t if he loved her, the question was did he trust her and could he ever trust her again.

Trying to look as unshaken and as natural as possible, Molly broke the silence. “What can I help you with Agent Newton?”

Capt. Wright, CIO

Newton smiled a smile that would affirm the unsettled feelings Molly was having. “Just a few questions I need answered for my investigation, I promise… this won’t take long. Please, have a seat.”

Molly sat down slowly without another look at Cal. Her eyes were fixed on Newton evaluating the meaning behind her smile. It made her even more uneasy but she tried her best to shield her feelings from showing on the outside.

“Captain Wright…” Newton began in earnest. “… for the record, would you please state your name, rank and Federation ID number?”

“Of course.” Molly began. She knew the procedure, and she just wanted to take it out of the way. “Molly Grace Wright, Captain. 4826503-2831.” Her tone was assertive, but not hostile.

“Thank you.” She smiled a sickly sweet smile before continuing. “Now Ms. Wright, you legally changed your last name at age 10. Do you happen to know what your surname name was at birth? If so, could you state it for the record?”

Newton/Harris

Another procedure question… Molly had been asked that before, especially when dealing with Intelligence, so she thought nothing of it. The fact that she had never mentioned it to Cal was lost in her mind. “Yes Ma’am, I do. Molly Grace Holloway was my birth name. That’s Holloway with an O. H-O-L-L-O-W-A-Y.” The easiness with which Wright answered the question would tell both the occupants of the room that she had given that information a few number of times before.”

Without another word, she waited for Newton to continue.

Capt. Wright, CIO

Harris said nothing. He watched, listened and carefully monitored every word and move of Molly’s. Newton had a point to get to and she was moving full speed ahead.

“Can you…” The Agent continued. “… describe the purpose of the mission to Beta Prime, Ms. Wright?”

“It was a diplomatic mission.” Molly started without so much as a flinch. “The Federation had made contact with the people on Beta Prime. They go by the name of Regians, and they had just developed warp technology. We were to be their first contact.”

With a nod, Newton pressed on. “Why did you request to be involved with this particular mission?”

Molly knew these were coming. No self respecting Intelligence Agent would investigate their mission without questioning the actual mission. Especially when one of their officers had requested to be on board with no apparent reason.

Clearing her throat, Wright replied. Her voice as steady as before. “Beta Prime is a name that has been on Intel’s radars for a while. I knew that there had been suspect activity on the surface on several occasions. My sources indicated that it was suspected that someone else had established themselves on the planet, possibly another non-human race, but there was no word on whom. In the interests of protecting the away team and their Captain, who happened to be on the mission, I requested permission to join as they did not have access to the information I had.” Molly’s eyes kept focused on Newton. They didn’t move even at the mention of Cal.

Then Newton snapped the quick follow-up. “Why did you find it necessary to go disguised as a Tactical officer to a diplomatic mission?”

Newton/Harris

Newton’s sudden snap caught Molly off guard, but not so much that it was apparent in her tone. “It was a diplomatic mission, Agent Newton. Imagine that your people just developed warp technology. You’re expecting visitors from places you didn’t even know existed. You’re approached by the Federation, on what’s supposed to be a ‘full disclosure’ meeting, and they bring an Intelligence officer with them. A person that cannot share the information they hold. What would you think?” Wright was visibly annoyed. “It is much easier to explain the presence of a Tactical officer within the away party than the presence of a spook, don’t you think?”

Capt. Wright, CIO

Newton sighed with a cocky smirk. “I’m not attacking your actions, Ms. Wright. I am simply seeking to get the full and complete story. Now…” She looked down at her PaDD, clearly looking at nothing in particular. “Have you, Ms. Wright, ever withheld information from a superior officer?”

Sure. Molly resisted the temptation to roll her eyes. Instead, she crossed her arms over her chest.

The next question clearly caught Molly off guard. Not that Newton was asking it, but rather the mere suggestion of it. “No!” Molly replied. Disbelief clear in her voice.

The second she stopped, Newton followed with. “Have you ever withheld information from your current Commanding Officer?”

“What?” Molly looked at Cal, wondering exactly what Newton had told him during his questioning or if he had suggested that she hadn’t been sincere at any given point in their work together.

Harris glared at Molly and snapped. “Just answer the damn question Molly!” His tone harsh without a drop of care or concern.

As soon as the words left his lips, Cal would be able to see the sting of hurt behind Molly’s eyes. It lasted but a split second, before her gaze left his.

“No.” Wright looked back at Newton. The look in Molly’s eyes was almost menacing.

Newton nodded slightly. “OK… thank you Ms. Wright. I only have two questions left in the this section of the interview. Did you withhold information about your purpose to be included on the mission? And what were your expectations of the mission?”

Newton

Molly sighed. “The only information I withheld from Colonel Harris was my intelligence on the present mission, that I just disclosed to you. It was information I could not openly discuss at the time given my current security clearance. Not because I wanted to.” After a short pause, Wright continued. “I expected the mission to be nothing more than a regular diplomatic mission. If I thought that something was going to go wrong, or if I thought that at any time the away party would be in danger, I would have expressed my views, and I would have strongly recommended the mission to be halted.”

Capt. Wright, CIO

The Marine’s menacing glare had not softened in the slightest and Newton was almost… elated… as she continued. “Why did you change your name, Ms. Wright? Why would such a young child make such a decision?”

What does it matter? was the question on Molly’s mind, but she refrained from asking it. Whatever Newton had told Cal had clearly stuck with him. For a second, Wright wondered if it was worth fighting it at all. Her shoulder’s slumped slightly forward as her mind went back to memories she didn’t want to remember. “It was my father’s name… and after everything that he put me and my sister through… I didn’t want to be his daughter anymore. Biologically speaking, I knew that would never change. But I could at least stop carrying his legacy with my name.” Molly stopped for a second. Her gaze on the table in front of her. “Instead, I chose my mother’s maiden name. I thought it was more fitting… not to mention, it would be harder for him to find us should he ever come looking.”

Wright’s gaze settled back on Newton. “But if you’re insinuating that as a child I was not fully capable of making that decision, I can tell you Ms. Newton… if I was old enough to carry more concussions and broken bones that most see in their entire lives, and to take Erin from a horrible situation by myself, I can guarantee you… I was more than capable of making that decision.” The hatred in Molly’s voice was unequivocal. “I already have to stare at his eyes every time I look in the mirror. But I don’t have to remember him every time I write my name down.”

As upset and betrayed as he felt, Harris still felt a wave of hatred towards Molly’s father swell inside him. He wondered if a loving home would have changed who she was today… who Newton was making a strong damn case for who she had become.

“Have you…” The Agent pressed. “… ever heard the name Lucas Holloway?” Harris was clearly paying closer attention now, leaning forward on his elbows, still eerily speechless.

Molly’s eyes glanced up at Newton in surprise. A glimmer of happiness crossed through them as she uttered the name. The change in Cal’s stance made her briefly wonder why was it that he seemed so interested in this matter.

“Yes.” Wright said assertively. “Lucas Holloway is my uncle.”

Wham! There went the ton of bricks again. Plain as day… the woman before him was, in fact, Lucas Holloway’s oldest niece. Then, though only for the briefest of moments, Harris found himself feeling incredibly awkward at the knowledge that he had been… highly intimate… with both Holloway girls.

Newton looked unimpressed. “What is your relationship with your uncle, Ms. Wright? Or should I say, Ms. Holloway?”

Newton/Harris

Wright took a slow, deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She told herself that it didn’t matter whatever name Newton chose to address her by. It was clear that all she wanted was to get to Molly, and if she didn’t back up, she would give her exactly what she wanted.

“I haven’t seen my uncle since I left New York, eighteen years ago.” She paused. “He used to come by the house to visit us…” Molly smiled slightly. It was clear that she had fond memories of the man. “He always brought us stuff… it almost seemed like he cared…” Wright shook her head. “I don’t have a relationship with my uncle, Agent Newton. If he cared about me or my sister, he would have taken us out of my father’s house before–” Molly’s voice cracked. “He never did.”

Capt. Wright, CIO

Now Harris found himself utterly pissed at Lucas for leaving the girls in that mess. He had damn near superhero-level money and influence and yet, his only nieces ended up growing in an abusive home before literally running over 2,000 miles away from home. Regardless of what happened, he and Lucas would be having words when this was over.

“Tell me…” Newton suddenly began speaking once more, slightly startling the Marine. “… about a Ms. Alison Roberts, if you would please, Ms. Holloway.” Every time she used Molly’s original surname, an unmistakable smirk crossed the young woman’s face. The repeated usage of the name, Newton was certain, would eventually draw Wright into an outburst.

Once again, Molly flinched almost visibly at the mention of her old surname. Her hands momentarily balled into fists and she hid them under the table. She took another deep breath. Finally Molly continued, answering the same question she had answered plenty of times before. “Alison and I went to C. A. Riley Military Academy together. She was a year older than me and we had one… one…” Molly stressed, tired of speaking about the one person she had had what now seemed a meaningless episode with. “… intimate encounter my junior year.” With the exception of that one stressed word, the rest of the sentence was worded in an almost robot-like fashion. “That was it. Nothing more.” Molly was visibly shaken. Her eyes never so much as glanced at Cal. “The night before Christmas break, she approached me, took me to her room, we did it, and that was it. When we came back from break she was dating someone else.” The description could not have sounded more dispassionate.

“OK…” Newton pursed her lips, not really interested in what Molly had said. The point was for her to say it now, in front of Cal. “… how did you feel about Ms. Roberts, that relationship and how it went?”

Newton/Harris

Molly lowered her head and shook it. She then looked back up at Newton. “How do you think I felt Ms. Newton? I was a teenager. Convinced that Alison was my one true love. I knew nothing about relationships… and she broke my heart. I was devastated, mad at the world… mad at her and at her new boyfriend and at mad at myself. I wanted vengeance. I wanted her to see what she had done to me, but I couldn’t. So I vowed I would learn to be cold and heartless so that one day I could the same to her… so that she could feel the same pain. Again… I was a teenager. I was stupid. Looking back now… I mean… she graduated that year. We never saw each other again… That experience is part of who I am today and I don’t regret it. I hope she is happy.”

Capt. Wright, CIO

Harris was rather surprised. The way the video and the way Newton had portrayed everything up to this point, it had seemed something was amiss. But Cal knew Molly well enough, he thought, to tell when she was frustrated, honest and telling the truth. In this case, she was definitely telling the truth. Newton saw the shift in Harris and it frustrated her. She thought she had her target on the ropes with no help from her CO and lover, now it appeared she was losing him too. She couldn’t let that happen!

With a suddenly energetic expression, Newton asked. “Ms. Holloway, how did you feel when you were sacked from the USS Turing?”

Harris/Newton

“How do you think!?” Molly blurted out. She didn’t yell, but her pitch clearly showed her rising frustration. “Why is this important? Why is my name, my relationships or my previous assignments important for the purpose of this investigation!?” She slammed her fist on the table.

Leaning back on her seat, Molly pinched the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes to calm herself down. She knew what Newton was doing, and she was walking right into it. It was almost as if she could no longer control her emotions. “I felt lost, Agent Newton. I felt the same I had felt when I found out that Alison had moved on, but at a much larger scale. Command used me for their own agenda, my own XO backstabbing me, and I was left without a job and with nowhere to go but home.” Molly’s eyes glared at Newton. Her tone was cold and heartless, just like how she had vowed to be so many years ago. “I realized right then and there that Alison’s betrayal should have made me a harder person… just like I had sworn to be. That the only way I could ever play within Starfleet ranks again was if I became as cunning and heartless as they were. I still think that’s true. There’s no place for soft officers in their ranks… you of all people should know… because heartless is exactly what you’re being right now. But don’t worry, Ms. Newton. I won’t fall for it. Because after all I’ve been through I learnt how to twist people the same way you did.”

Capt. Wright, CIO

Harris watched the women’s exchange, not knowing who to believe or what to think. He felt betrayed, upset and confused. He hoped against hope that this would be over soon and that Molly wouldn’t do something stupid.

Newton smirked wider than ever. She had Molly and she knew it and with that knowledge, went for the kill. “Just a few more questions, Ms. Holloway. Why /did/ you join Starfleet Intelligence?”

Harris/Newton

“I haven’t been a Holloway for the past eighteen years Ms. Newton, so please, I’d appreciate it if you’d call me by the name that Starfleet Intelligence has in their records.” Molly finally snapped. “Unless you want me to report you for turning an investigation in a personal attack. I changed my name and I explained to you why. I expect nothing else from a Federation worker than for them to respect that choice. I can send you a copy of the paperwork if you’re not happy with it.” Newton would know that Wright had finally cracked.

Newton couldn’t contain the smirk as it creased her face. She had wanted nothing more than to make a woman she fully believed was guilty before either Harris or she opened their mouth crack under the pressure of her practiced and polished interrogation techniques. It appeared she had finally, at long last, got her wish and she was going to make damn sure that Molly Grace Holloway was locked up till her bones turned to dust. Traitors and conspirators drew no quarter from her. She was vengeance and she was justice… and she would make sure that nothing would stop her from bringing a power-hungry monster like the woman before her kicking and screaming to the gallos if she could. This was the kind of case that could make her career! She could see it in her head… standing before the President as she received the Citation of Honor. And no over-sexed Marine, no Command-washout was going to take that moment from her.

Newton scoffed. “Fine… Ms. Wright…” The Agent said with a tone of placated annoyance like one might give to a child simply to shut her up. “… so be it. If you feel it necessary to use your mother’s name, that is your choice. Why anyone would choose not to align oneself with the prestigious Holloway family over such common street trash as Mary Wright is beyond me.”

At first, Newton’s words drew confusion from Molly. Prestigious? What did she mean, prestigious? There was nothing prestigious about her family. If there was something that she knew about her father, was that he was hardworking. But other than that, the family had been made of lower middle class nobodies. However, all of that was forgotten when the last of Newton’s words made their way to Molly’s brain. For the first time in a long time, she felt a rage burn deep inside her. A fire that threatened to spill out with a force that Molly couldn’t quite control or understand. But fortunately, before Wright’s actions became something she couldn’t undo, Cal intervened.

“That is quite enough, Agent Newton.” Harris snapped, he too very much like a parent calling down a child for crossing a final line. “I have sat here…” He deliberately leaned in toward the recorder. “… and after being personally raked over the coals, been forced to watch this travesty of justice roll on as you purposely and viciously attacked one of the most senior members of my crew all in the name of you grandstanding as you attempt to draw a reaction out of Ms. Wright. I, for one, have had quite enough and unless you have any actual questions to ask… I highly suggest you to wrap this up. You are deliberately baiting your witness and have so far violated her rights at least three times. At this time…” Harris looked straight at the recorder then back at Newton. “… if you don’t close these proceedings immediately, as Captain Wright’s Senior Officer, I will be forced to go on your own record as demanding a full stop until such time as JAG representation for the accused can be acquired from Starbase 157. Am I making myself absolutely clear, Ms. Newton?” Harris closed with a sharp edge to his words as he turned to Molly to see if the woman had anything else to say.

“In the interests of this investigation, Agent Newton, I am going to be honest with you.” Molly’s eyes radiated hatred and her lips spat venom. Something that Cal had never seen in her before. “Just like when Alison left, after the mess with the Turing I felt betrayed. I wanted revenge. I wanted to learn how to twist people just like they had done to me because I thought that was the only way of getting somewhere. I was not wrong… After all you seem to be trying to do the same with me.” Molly paused. “Intelligence provided me with the right tools for the job. So I took them.”

Capt. Wright, CIO

Harris’ heart froze. Had she… he thought with a spine-tingling chill… had she really fallen? Had Molly taken that terrible, dark path and all of this… everything… every moment, every tryst, every touch… been a goddamn lie?! The Marine heard his heart droning in his head as he waited… waited to see what next she would say. Waited to see if the facade had finally broken. Waited to see if, truly, for the first time… he would see the real… Molly Wright.

“I only have one more question.” Turning to Wright once more, Newton asked flatly but with all the energy of a lawyer asking the biggest question of her career. “Captain Wright… how long have you and Commander DuBois been planning to steal the USS Dresden?”

Harris was more confused than ever. He wanted to stand by Molly… not even as his woman, but as her CO and her friend. Yet, Newton’s arguments were working in a lot of doubt into his previously unwavering confidence in Molly Wright. More than anything else, Cal was worried. Worried because, as he watched, Molly was practically changing before his eyes and the sudden shift was alarming to say the least. Harris wanted to believe her, with every fiber of his being… but he too knew all too well… the overwhelming power held by the select few chosen to wear the Space Blacks of SFI. Part of Cal wanted this all to be a terrible misunderstanding… while the other part felt betrayal like nothing he’d ever known.

Newton/Harris

What? Molly was speechless. The question made no sense. With everything she had just told the woman, how she had gotten to that conclusion was beyond her.

Instinctively, Molly looked at Cal, her eyes pleading for support… asking for reassurance that it wasn’t just her… that he too saw that what Newton was implying was ridiculous. However, disbelief was not what Wright found in Harris’s gaze. Instead, his blue eyes looked back at her through what looked like a cloud of confusion and heartbreak. Had Newton really gotten to him? Had she managed to take away from her the one person that kept her afloat?

Looking back at Newton, Wright’s gaze no longer radiated hatred, but rather a deep sadness caused by the realization of what had just happened. The woman had primed Cal during his interview, and then, she had called in Molly to confirm it. She felt numb. Two years ago she had lost her career and her first true love, but somehow she had found her way again. But now, she had lost everything she had rebuilt since then. And worse of all, she had lost Cal…

“That’s ridiculous.” Molly objected, but her voice showed no conviction. “That’s ridiculous and you know it.” She didn’t have to fight back tears. She was beyond them. “He tortured us. He almost killed us…” Wright wanted to show the woman all the things Dubois had done to her but every single bruise and burn mark had been erased by their medical crew. She sighed. Even the evidence had been taken away from her. “I emptied my pistol on his body. Why would I even do that if I was planning to steal the ship all along? Why would I even need him for that job? Are you implying that I used my relationship with Colonel Harris to get the Dresden and when he didn’t give me the information that I needed I resorted to an old colleague to do it for me? And when I saw that plan failing as well I killed him to keep my cover and called my old partner to get me out of it?” And then it dawned on Molly. That was exactly what she was implying.

Looking down, Molly rubbed her forehead. She felt numb and tired. She didn’t dare looking at Cal again. She had lost everything… all she wanted was for it to end. All this time she had been nothing but a disappointment to everyone in her life… to Ashton… to Ryan… to Calvin… to her dad and to her sister who had seen her fail over and over… at least she could make someone happy on her way out the door.

Turning to Newton once more, Molly made up her mind. She had nothing else to lose… nothing worth fighting for. “Yeah… sure. Why not. Nothing I can tell you will ever change your mind, Ms. Newton, and you seem to already have changed the mind of the people important to me. It doesn’t matter anymore.” She shrugged. “After I lost my own command I decided that the only way to get back in the center chair was to manipulate the people that stood in my way… so I did… Tomas seemed to have taken a liking for me, so I used him as a pawn.” Molly shrugged again. “There’s no point in me arguing with you. That’s what you want to hear, so there. You have your answer. On record. You can arrest me now.” And with that, Wright placed her wrists on the table as if waiting for Newton to restrain her.

Capt. Wright, CIO

Newton had a confident smirk as she stood on her side of the table. “Captain Molly Grace Wright, you are under arrest for the charges of Conspiracy and Capital Treason. Per Starfleet Regulations, you are hereby stripped of your Clearances and Command Codes and shall be placed under guard on Quarters until I have had time to submit my report and a Military Tribunal can be convened to conduct your Court Martial.” Without another word, the Agent drew from her back a pair of old Earth metal handcuffs and closed them… firmly… on Molly’s wrists.

Molly heard the words, but it was the clicking sound of the handcuffs and the cold metal feeling around her wrists that made it final. Just like that, Intelligence had achieved the same thing Command had done to her two years prior. Only this time she had willingly gone down with it. It seemed that every time she got somewhere, every time she achieved something… that she loved someone… it was taken away. The first time she had vowed revenge… only to be ran over again. Maybe the only solution was to rot her life away in a prison cell somewhere, where she couldn’t be stripped of anything else because all she had had already been taken away.

Maybe Ashur had been the smart one. Maybe she should have listened to his distrust for the Intelligence community in the beginning.

Harris was dumbstruck but after a moment to compose himself, Molly would see a flash of anger in his eyes before a dull sadness covered his entire outward appearance. Standing and placing his hands on the table, Harris leaned forward and, his voice barely audible, looked Molly dead in the eyes. “I trusted you… I believed in you… I loved you. After everything I did for you…” The Marine choked back tears. “You’re on your own Wright.” With that, the Marine turned and walked out without another word.

Newton/Harris

Molly didn’t move. She didn’t dare. Defeated, she looked down… her eyes never meeting his. His words… his words shattered… everything. Every single gleam of hope that she might have had was gone. Her lifeline cut, and all she wanted was to fall.

Her eyes didn’t follow Cal out of the door, in what might have been the last time she would see him. Instead, she remained seated, in the same position as before. There was nothing left for her. Her life was gone. The first time she had been allowed to return home. This time she would not even be entitled that luxury. For a moment, she wondered what Ryan would think, but it didn’t take long for Molly to convince herself that he would be just as easily convinced as Cal had been, when presented with the right kind of evidence. After all, Intelligence had everything they needed… and she had nothing to fight back with.

Finally, her gaze settled on Newton, as she waited for the Fleet Intelligence Security detachment to come in and take her away.

OOC: May I introduce a plot twist? If not, you may void this post. The temptation was just too strong. Especially because this thread is so amazing. How could I not?

OOC: Harley, your plot twists are always welcome! ;) — Joana

Unbeknownst to the officers in the room, but knownst to us (OOC: Sorry, I had to! #SpaceBalls), the Quantum Slipstream Starship (QSS) Cavalier… a small corvette ship registered to none other than Holloway Heavy Industries dropped from slipstream less than 25,000 km from the Thresher but went completely undetected as it approached from the dark side of the planet and immediately cloaked upon arrival in the system. The Cavalier was the fastest, most expensive ship in the hands of a Federation Civilian and contained tech that would be completely illegal without express written permission from the Federation Council and Starfleet Command… something her current owner ensured was on the VERY expensive ship at all times. The Cavalier was alongside the Dresden moments later, giving the warship a carefully concealed scan looking for a specific bio-signature.

IC: The doors to the interrogation room swooshed open and a stately gentleman dressed in JAG white strode inside. His brisk pace brought him neatly in front of the interrogator where came sharply to attention.

Wright heard the doors but she didn’t look. Her eyes kept on Newton until she could no longer stare at the woman. Patiently, she waited for the voices that would inevitably tell her to move, for the hands that would pull her out of the chair and drag her out of the room… but they never came.

“Sir, Commander Jebediah Harper, Judge Advocate General’s office, starbase 157.” He paused only to extend a hand with which he held a PaDD. “This is an injunction from Admiral Christopher Vreeland, ordering you to cease and desist this interrogation immediately and to release Captain Wright to my custody.” The tone in the slender and slanky man’s voice was stern and an almost imperceptible hint of anger and satisfaction colored his words.

Molly’s gaze shifted to the man that had just walked into the room. Within her, a faint glimmer of hope lit up and she held onto it as hard as she could. She didn’t know who Admiral Vreeland was or why he cared about the case. But in the previous hour, Wright had lost everything that made her who she was. She had nothing to lose.

“You are also hereby ordered to halt this investigation until I can be fully briefed and all witnesses deposed.” With a near smile, the man, whose caramel skin glinted under the harsh turned for the first time to look at Captain Wright with old, wise, sad eyes… eyes that Molly would surely recognize.

-CMDR Jebediah Harper, JAG

Molly’s heart skipped a beat as she found herself staring at a pair of eyes she never thought she would see again. She wanted to call Cal, to tell him, to share with him what was happening, to suggest that maybe the man standing in front of her could give him the closure he still needed. But just as quickly she remembered that he had left…. heartbroken by something Molly had not done. And her heart sunk to her stomach once again.

Belle The name crossed her mind as Molly looked back at Commander Harper. Belle Harper had been the Montgomery’s Chief of Security and one of Wright’s closer friends. Unfortunate events had prevented her to take the same job on board the USS Turing by taking the young woman from the world way earlier than she should have. There wasn’t a day that went by that Molly didn’t remember her in some way…

Jebediah Harper was her father, if Molly remembered correctly. She had never spoken to the man. She should have. After all, she had been his daughter’s Commanding Officer, even if only in an acting capacity, as her promotion to the rank of Captain had come after Belle’s passing. Still, she should have talked to him. She should have been the one breaking the tragic news to him in person and yet, when she had finally reached out through a short missive, the news had already made their way to him by way of an accidental transmission to their new Chief of Security.

And yet, after all that Wright had not done, Commander Harper was standing in the room, willing to take down Newton and her biased investigation. Why, Molly didn’t know, but whether on purpose or by chance, fate had found a way of bringing them together.

Molly didn’t say anything. Instead she just stared into the eyes of the man, devoid of words to utter. But he had come too late. Wright had already confessed to a crime she had not committed. The recorder on the table would parrot back that confession when needed. It was best if she remained quiet. In silence, she waited to see what would happen next.

Capt. Wright, CIO

Quietly, in the darkest corner of the room, a fourth person… a tall, distinguished looking gentleman in his late forties in a suit that cost more than anyone in the room had ever seen at once… silently observed the conversation. In his hand was a dark blue folio bearing the crest of the President of the United Federation of Planets.

Newton appeared momentarily taken aback by the sudden and uninvited arrival in the room before she scoffed softly then chuckled. “Unfortunately, Commander, that injunction is unnecessary. You see…” She smiled proudly, clearly not caring about any message the JAG Officer carried . “… just moments ago, Captain Wright willingly confessed to the charges she is facing.” She then followed with the question. “And, Commander, just how did you get on board the Dresden?”

“Like hell she did!” Came a booming voice from the dark corner as the gentleman stepped into view. Newton jumped and turned to face the intruder, clearly shocked and equally pissed. “How the hell did you get in here?!” The SFI Agent demanded.

Molly turned in the direction of the sound. The voice was vaguely familiar, bringing to her mind memories she couldn’t quite place. When her eyes settled on the smartly dressed man, her heart did a double take as she recognized his face. A face she hadn’t seen in the past eighteen years. And a face that she had vowed not to ever see again.

Harper didn’t need to turn around to know who had just managed to beam into the room. Thanks to his time as Lunar colony liason officer, he knew immediately just from the voice. One didn’t live on Earth, or Luna for that matter, and not know who Lucas Holloway was. Harper had had many dealings with the man, though he doubted Mr. Holloway would remember.

Although, Wright had never seen him in a suit. For a moment, her childish dream of having a family again took over. He looked a different man… maybe he had changed… maybe he had turned his life around… for them… and maybe he was finally ready to take them home.

Molly’s eyes never left him, watching his every movement.

Lucas Holloway strode toward her with a condescending look no one, including Newton, would miss. “Listen young lady, when you build enough warships, you learn to build in back doors.” He stopped a little over a meter from Newton who shuttered as one of the most recognizable citizens of the Federation came clearly into focus, so stunning her she took a step back and bumped into the table. Lucas looked past her to his niece and smiled. “Hi ya Gracie” It was the only words he could get out. “Who… what…?!” The Agent stammered and Lucas glared down at her as he waved the folio in her face. “I, Agent Newton, am the President and CEO of Holloway Heavy Industries and Special Advisor to the President of the United Federation of Planets… Lucas Holloway. By order of the President, this case is hereby remanded to the Federation Council for trial and is no longer under the privy of the Intelligence Service. Do I make myself clear, Ms. Newton?”

Building warships? Had he gone from the Port Authority to a shipyard? Molly’s mind was in overdrive. And then he greeted her. Gracie… The name floated through Wright’s ears and the spell shattered. There was only one person in the whole universe that called her by that name… and that person was her uncle. Lucas Holloway.

Molly was overcome by sadness. Of course he would never come… he hadn’t even gone looking for them… for a stupid second she had thought that her father had turned his life around and had finally gotten himself together enough to reunite his daughters under his wing. But she had been wrong. Most likely he was still getting drunk at the local bar while struggling with his dead end job.

She listened intently to her uncle’s speech. What? Had she just heard what she thought she had? Holloway Heavy Industries had been a name Molly had encountered a few times in her life. It had been the company that manufactured the USS Turing, and most of the vessels Starfleet currently used. But her parents were low middle class. They had struggled with money as far back as Molly could remember. She had never thought that her uncle on the other hand, was the President of one of the largest companies in the sector. She understood now why Newton had thought she came from a prestigious family. However, that also meant that Lucas had had the wealth to look for them… worse, to take them away from their father’s grasp. It angered and hurt Molly even more knowing that despite his possessions, he had not even bothered to visit them in San Francisco. If he cared so much as to be in the room at the moment, why hadn’t he cared before?

Newton snatched the folio from Lucas’ hand and read the letter quickly, before dropping her shoulders and glaring back up at Lucas. “And just what the hell am I supposed to do now?!” Lucas took a step toward her and said in a dark tone. “First, you’re gonna to take those cuffs off my niece before I rip that pretty hair outta your thick head…” Newton’s eyes flashed anger for just a moment before backing down. “… then you’re gonna get the hell off this ship. Ya got me?!” Lucas snapped. Newton needed not another word of instruction. She quickly snatched the handcuffs from Molly and stormed from the room.

And just like that, Molly’s hands were free. She rubbed her wrists softly, trying to shake the pressure away. Newton left the room leaving her alone with the two newcomers.

Lucas then walked over to his niece and sighed. “You alright honey?”

Newton/Lucas

Molly didn’t acknowledge her uncle or his words. Instead, she got up and walked towards Commander Harper. She held out her hand for him to shake.

“I guess I deserved that.” Holloway sighed as his niece blew him off. After years of ‘allowing’ the sisters to, in their minds… he was sure they thought… fend for themselves, it was of little surprise the brush off the woman gave him. He had hoped for a better response but deep down, he knew he wouldn’t get one and sure as hell didn’t deserve it.

Commander Harp gently shook the offered hand. He could feel the emotion bubbling up under the surface. She had been Belle’s friend and was going to vow to help her in any way that he could.

“Captain Molly Wright, nice to meet you Sir.” Molly said as professionally as she could. Inside she was lost but somehow hopeful. “I can’t thank you enough for coming all the way here for this…” Wright didn’t know what to say or even what to ask. “I… I…” She stammered. “I’m not sure I understand the situation myself… I was wondering if you could shed some light on what the next steps would be…” Molly’s inner turmoil was clear. “I seem to have gotten myself into something I cannot quite get out of…”

Capt. Wright, CIO

“And you may not be out of it for quite some time. Now that you are free, for the most part, to go, we have a lot of work to do. I was assigned as your council, but it is your right to choose whomever you wish to represent yourself and your interests.” He wanted to add that this particular case meant so much to him and that he was going to do his best, but as a lawyer, he knew that he had to keep his emotions in check, not only so he could do his absolute best work, but for ethical reasons as well. “And it is so very nice to finally meet you as well, Ma’am,” Commander Harper stated, giving a quick salute.

-Cmdr. Harper, JAG

For quite some time. The words resonated within her and fear installed in her heart. What was this going to mean for her and Cal? Was she going to be able to talk to him again? To tell him that she wasn’t guilty? And… would he believe her?

Instinctively, Molly returned the salute as swiftly as Harper’s had been. “I’d be honored to have you as my council, Commander.” Wright paused for a second. She wanted to ask why was he doing this for her when his daughter had been killed under her watch. Molly had failed the man once and yet, he was here. Shaking her head slightly, she didn’t have the courage to ask.

“I can tell you anything you need to know about what happened and give you access to any report you need. I’m sure Colonel Harris…” her voice broke for a split second and Molly cleared her throat. “… will be just as available to answer any questions… he was there too. I’m just not sure if we can get the recording of the interview ran by the FCIS.”

Commander Harper stiffened at the mention of Colonel Harris, but he hoped it didn’t show.

Finally, she motioned towards Lucas. “I’m sorry.. this is my uncle, Lucas Holloway. I’m not sure you’ve met. But I’m sure he’ll be able to help as well.”

Capt. Wright, CIO

Lucas walked over to the pair and offered his hand to Harper. “Commander Harper…” Holloway said with a soft smile. “… you served as Liaison Officer at New Berlin, didn’t you? I never forget a face. How’s the Judge Advocate Corps treating their folks now adays?”

Holloway

Commander Harper was very surprised. “Yes Mr. Holloway. I spent many years in New Berlin after my wife passed. I’m surprised you remember. Always a pleasure,Sir,” he said, shaking the offered hand. “And the corps, treats me alright, yessir. Although it’s been awhile since I practiced. I asked to be reinstated recently.” He gave a quick wink and soft warm smile to Captain Wright, revealing from whom Belle had inherited her dimples.

“I have a lot of work to do ya know,” he said, “but I really could use a bite to eat. Either of you care to join, me?” he looked from one to the other and then realized his mistake. “I’m sorry. Maybe the two of you want to catch up first?” he asked apologetically.

-Commander Harper, JAG

Holloway smiled warmly but gave a slight shake of his head. “Actually Commander, if you wouldn’t mind… I would like a little time to catch up with my niece. I encourage you to check out the on-board dining facilities of the Dresden. As her builder, I can ensure you that they are top of the line. Why don’t we get together in a couple hours so can all put our heads together on how to tackle this mess.”

Holloway, HHI

(OOC: The follow-up meeting would be in two hours time. If you care to start it, we can have both the catching up and meeting thread running at once. -Jerome)


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