Posted by Lieutenant Commander Peter Sigmundsson (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Docking Bay Two - Junior’s Arrival

Posted by Civilian Kara Nakuto (Consultant) in Docking Bay Two - Junior’s Arrival

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Matthew ‘Junior’ Grimshaw (Shady Character) in Docking Bay Two - Junior’s Arrival
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Out of the blue an unexpected runabout dropped out of warp near the Viking, but not so close as to be in weapons or transporter range. Despite clearly being a federation runabout, the posture was clearly defensive.

=/\=Runabout Cerydd to USS Viking. This is a Code 47 transmission. Request urgent docking clearance in accordance to Starfleet Directive 927,=/\= the clearly nervous voice, male voice that was familiar with Starfleet regulation.

Were the bridge officer to scan the runabout, they would detect that the runabout had one human occupant and that the shields were raised, but weapons powered down. A clear defensive posture from a ship that was no match against even a museum class starship…

-Junior

OOC: Woohoo! It’s so good to have you back on the ship, Jim! :)

IC: She had no remit to report to the bridge in her current, increasingly insignificant, role. But as the cerebral centre of the Viking and one of only a handful of locations on this vast, echoing ship where the safety of company was guaranteed at all hours, Kara Nakuto found herself here often. She considered it a blessing that Captain Ravenfall had shown no resentment towards her own, continued presence. Indeed, in the current absence of a ship’s counselor, the half-Klingon former commanding officer had been invited by Viktoryia to make the right-hand seat her own.

And so it was that one evening, three hours into gamma’s graveyard shift, Nakuto had abandoned her attempt to find sleep amongst the cacophony of whispers plaguing her own quarters and had sought solace on the bridge in its stead. Dozing lightly in her chair, the sound of a now-familiar voice over the comms channel was like a bowl of ice water to the face. The last time she had heard it had been in the narration of a distressing scene involving her former Chief of Medicine and one-time dear friend. In truth, she had been waiting for the situation to rear its ugly head once more.

Rising slowly to her feet, her hand almost instinctively reaching for her phaser and finding empty space indicative of her current lowly status instead, Kara took up a position at the shoulder of the seated helm officer and observed with increasing anxiety as he attempted to formulate a reply with a half-Klingon breathing down his neck.

=^= Runabout Cerydd, this is the USS Viking =^= Ensign Poe replied. =^= Proceed to docking bay two.=^=

=/\=Docking Bay Two, acknowledged, =/\= came the replied.

As the comms channel was closed, Nakuto had already reached the bridge exit and declared herself the head of the welcoming committee. As she forged a determined path through the ship, she pounded her commbadge and called in others to join her.

=^= Lt Commander Sigmundsson, Lt Mackenzie, I apologise if I have woken you but I require your presence at docking bay two immediately. It appears as if an old ‘friend’ has decided to drop by.” =^=

Sigmundsson would no doubt know of whom she spoke. Mackenzie was not yet in this particular, twisted loop. But he was about to become as entangled as the rest of them.

• Kara Nakuto (Consultant)

Peter usually kept odd hours, preferring to work late into the night, it was usually a quiet time that allowed him to go through the daily intelligence reports and work on his side projects. It was also the best time to set up secure communique with his contacts. =^=Copy, I’ll be there=^= He said simply before getting dressed and making his way to the shuttle bay quickly.

The shuttle landed following Starfleet protocols, executed by a pilot that had sufficient skills to have passed a basic flight test.

The Hatch opened with a gentle his as the air pressure equalised and the tall thin figure that was familiar to both Nakuto and Sigmundsson’s emerged wearing a Starfleet uniform bearing the rank of commander.

Seeing his welcome Committee he stopped walking.

“Not quite the welcoming committee I expected from a code 47,” he said. Junior unfastened his uniform tunic. When he outstretched his arms the tunic rode up and parted. He slowly spun to show he had no weapons on either a waist or shoulder holster. As he spun he continued to speak.” That said, a code 47 doesn’t specify which captain.

“You think this ship will allow you to keep secrets?” Nakuto shot back, her anxiety rising. “And yes, I remain a captain by rank if not by any other measure.”

Once facing the 3 officers he removed his comm badge and tossed it towards them before kneeling and putting his hands behind his head.

“Captain Nakuto. Both John and Nevin tell me I can trust you. Commander Sigmundsson I already know I can trust you. It is good to see you again,” Junior said. He then looked at MacKenzie, “Chief of Security, I presume? Junior Grimshaw, at your service.”

-Junior

Kara studied both Sigmundsson and Mackenzie closely, searching for any indication of their own initial reactions to Grimshaw’s sudden and unexpected arrival. She had several questions to ask the man whom, the last time she had lain eyes on him, had been holding John McHarrie hostage. But for now she remained silent and waited for either of the other men to respond.

• Kara Nakuto (Consultant)

Peter studied the man for a moment then took a few steps forward, pointing at Junior’s hands, indicating him to raise them to the sides as he went to one knee and started patting the man down, he was slow, methodical, and not too rough “Matthew Grimshaw” He said to Mackenzie “Ex-Starfleet current wanted criminal and fugitive.” He stopped for a moment then reached out, roughly removing the pips from his uniform “He’s also apparently a con-artist.” He said before continuing his patting down.

CIO

“Most men buy me dinner before touching,” Junior joked complying with Peter’s instructions.

“Ex Star-Fleet, Ex-Convict and Fugitive that is getting sick of running. I DO object to being described as a con-artist, although I do not deny that I have fabricated scenarios for the purposes of shall we say discreet and less savoury duties,” he corrected.

“John tried getting me back into 31 after I helped him track down James,” Junior said, “When I said ‘no’ he cut me loose without upholding his part of our deal. Then out of the blue, I hear from Nevin. Apparently if I can earn your trust, Captain, he will allow me to see our son. Too much of a coincidence if you ask me, but even a chance to spend time with Antos. Can you blame me for being here?”

-Junior

Kara nodded. She understood the constant anguish of being separated from loved ones. Life on the Viking was an almost daily cycle of disappearances and returns, the crew roster no longer an accurate representation of whom was onboard, but merely a guest book for those who had passed through. The lure of sleep carried with it a continual threat for where one might awaken if they dared to close their eyes. For Nakuto, this had resulted in sleeping only when surrounded by others, usually at the back of the bridge or on the engineering deck during alpha shift.

So when she looked into the eyes of Junior Grimshaw, she saw…and she understood, his pain. But empathy and trust had long since been separated in her mind and still the betrayal by the senior McHarries was a wound too raw to close.

“They asked me about Nevin, when I was being interrogated back at Starfleet,” she shrugged. “I did not even know he had left until I made my own return. I take it section 31 considered him to be more beneficial elsewhere?”

• Kara Nakuto (Consultant)

“Nevin’s not Section 31,” Junior scoffed, “He’s too honest. Wears his heart on his sleeve. Yes Section 31 know exactly how to manipulate him and get him to do their work but the section is… How shall I put it? Backwards in some ways. Nevin’s parents are Cardassian, he’ll never be in Section 31 as one of their own. It’s not Nevin that I don’t trust. It’s the puppeteer that cannot be trusted.”

“I think we all know by now that you do not need to be involved with Section 31, or even be aware of their existence, to have your life utterly destroyed by them,” Kara replied, glancing towards Sigmundsson. Was it merely coincidence that, just as they had begun to piece together the shadowy organisation’s involvement in the Viking’s woes, that Grimshaw should turn up on their doorstep? Of course, she found it hard to believe that anything happened by chance any more.

“Nevin left here to take up the XO position on that new colony. He was the one that the natives reached out to it made sense. He is capable of command, but command won’t give him one till he’s proven to them he’s ready.”

Junior sighed heavily, “I get the feeling that you don’t believe me and I don’t blame you based on my record.”

-Junior

“Is my belief in you so important?” she shrugged.

“It is to Nevin,” Junior interjected.

“In the grand tableaux of this battle we face, you are no more than a mere inconvenience, Mr Grimshaw. But I am not opposed to some mutual assistance. If you can perhaps assist us with our current investigations then I see no reason not to help you in return. But it will be wholly on our terms. Do you understand? Even the smallest insect can wreak great damage if they find the opportunity. And I owe it to every soul onboard this vessel to ensure that you do not.”

• Kara Nakuto (Consultant)

Peter, now standing right behind Junior, made his presence known without uttering a word or giving away a sound. He had made it clear to the man that he held no high regard for his life. Right now it was best if NAkuto would ask the questions.

CIO

“I’m a Starfleet officer. Was a Starfleet officer,” Junior said correcting himself, “One that has made mistakes and trusted the wrong people. Ofcourse this is on your terms. I have no bargaining Chips and have everything to loose.”

“Last time I dropped in, Mr Sigmundsson threatened to throw me out of the nearest airlock. Something I believe his is capable of and would take great pleasure in doing,” Junior said, “You are capable of providing me with a much more painful end and because I insulted your honour when we last spoke you would be protected from prosecution under Federation law,” Junior offered.

“Mr. MacKenzie, I would imagine would do things by the book. Look at my criminal record, believe it to be accurate then lock me in the brig until I could be transferred back to prison where the Romulans who I allegedly spy for will no doubt locate me and attempt to kill me,” Junior looked at his welcoming committee as he paused for breath, “Each of you could do any of these things at any time of your choosing. Me? I’ve passed the point of no return. I can’t even use a replicator without the request having to be approved by a crew member. How would I even leave the ship?”

-Junior