STF

The Hunt for Red October,

Posted May 1, 2020, 8:29 p.m. by Civilian Joseph Karlson (Head of Police Force) (Hjortur Ingi)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Preston Longstreet (Chief of Security) in The Hunt for Red October,

Posted by Civilian Joseph Karlson (Head of Police Force) in The Hunt for Red October,

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Preston Longstreet (Chief of Security) in The Hunt for Red October,
Posted by… suppressed (35) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Apollonia had debated on telling Longstreet about the intel agent. She was balancing her usual tendecy to look for profitable angles for her and her want to inform the man she most likely loved about his safety. For most this would be an easy decision. However for her that was a different thing. Call it genetic, environmental or other influences but her make up was about survival and advantage. Longstreet was savvy and smart but he was SF and that came with retrictions and codes etc…

She believed she might be able to accomplish both of her goals. She decided to spy on the spy because spys generally followed vice and money to get what they want and one she could manipulate and the other she wanted. She had already been making contact with low level crime dealers in the colony. Giving them a little money here and there just waiting for something for them to do. Well following this guy in a passive mode would be it. Where ever he went it would eventually get back to her.

At that moment Longstreet walked into the apartment she was sharing with him now.

“Hello Dear. Dinner.” She said with a beautiful intoxicating smile. She obviously meant replicator food. She had no idea how to cook old style.

Longstreet shook his head yes. He had an idea she was up to something.

Apollonia and Longstreet

“Can I ask you something and you not go into detective mode?” She said smiling.

“Probably not but go ahead.” He replied.

“Do you have someone new here in Intel. I don’t need to know a name. Just a yes or a no.” She asked still a few feet away.

Longstreet knew her about as well as anyone could. He felt she was off put asking this question.

“You know I can’t answer that. Plus Intel types are not my kind of people.” He answered.

“Got it. Thanks.” She said and came near him. “Lets relax.”

He had probably intended it but he had answered the question. Yes there was someone new and Longstreet did not care for him.

Longstreet

The next morning she told him she had some errands to run. She did let him out the door with a “watch your back.”

Longstreet gave her a sideways look. He made a note to get to the bottom of her question the night before and her veiled concern this morning. Something had happened.

Apollonia was on her way to spread the backstreet word to see who this intel guy was and what he had been up to. Someone could hide from cctv feeds, biometric detectors etc..but old school eyes and boots were still the best way to know what was going on. She would have to quietly spread some money around but she knew how to do that very well.

Meanwhile Longstreet went to his office. He opened his most secure channel and reached out to a few friends around the quadrant. Each no friend of Intel but in the know all the same. He wanted to know all he could about their new Intel officer. He knew the info was the type one would have to read between the blacked out lines but the hints might be there about this guy.

Longstreet
OOPS. Wrong character.

Sidney

Upon arrival to his office.

“Computer. Isolate, encrypt and mark Priority High Secure the next inquiry. My eyes only.” He said once he was inside his office.

=^=Ready=^= came the computer voice.

“I want to know everything possible on Starfleet officer Nicholas James, Intelligence Division. Just the official stuff, also any public mentions, to include family etc.. Reason’ classified SF Security internal investigation.

“Get me the office of Police Chief Karlson as well on a secure com channel.” He added.

Longstreet

It didn’t take long to get the Commissioner on the line, any calls from Starfleet’s Security Chief were prioritized alongside the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. A few minutes later Joseph was back in his office, having secured it for the incoming call, sat down and opened the channel =^=Commander Preston, What’s going on?=^= The oddly accentless Icelander asked.

Commissioner Karlson

“Karlson good of you to answer so quickly. Listen I am getting some odd intel out there, lets say inquiries, about our new Intel Chief. In fact there may be a tie in with Shinzak’s concern. Nothing concrete yet. Lets just say someone I know who has their ear well attached to the local sullied crowd is dropping some hints. This person does not drop hints unless there is a reason for it. Though in reality I question their reasons to do such a thing as well. It remains that there is a concern. I got the feeling that they were attempting to tell me James was either not who he is saying he is or worse.”

He knew Karlson long enough to be pretty straight with him. Except of course telling him Apollonia was the possible source.

Longstreet

Joseph leaned back in his seat, eyes narrowing at the man’s words. He had not given the man much consideration beyond the fact that he didn’t trust him. The last time Starfleet Intelligence had any presence on Oed it had brought some avenging force that threatened the Colony, so far the man seemed to simply have good intelligence and seemed moderately capable, although for some reason his brother had devoted several resources to assist him but had not mentioned why. “Well you know my feelings on Starfleet Intelligence operating on Oed, I’d rather not have them here at all.” He spoke in an unusually sardonic tone “But this contact of yours, did they hint in what direction we should look?” He asked knowing that it would be insulting to ask if Longstreet trusted his source, he wouldn’t be talking about it if he didn’t, the identity of the source also didn’t matter, at least not at this point.

Commissioner Karlson

“Unfortunately not. Just a hint that James may not be on or near the level with us and not in just a SF Intel sneaky way. I plan on trying to get more. Maybe we can use Shinzak’s report to lean in a little. Make the man uncomfortable answering questions. I mean we both know Shinzak has little to go on and has a wild imagination but its enough for an inquiry.” He proposed. “Honestly I don’t trust Intel at all and this guy less.”

Longstreet

OOC: Back and ready

Sidney

OOC: BUMP for the Chief of Police

Sidney

OOC: Sorry missed it the first time ‘round.
IC:

Joseph took a moment before answering “Well you know how I feel about Intel operating on Oed, I’d rather the whole lot of them be thrown out somewhere they can do some actual good” He said with a sardonic smile “But in any case, I think your instincts are right, my own sources have whispered some things about the man, some unusual happenings but it might be unrelated” Joseph said simply “How do you want to start?” He asked the Security Chief.

Commissioner Karlson

“Well the Shinzak issue is not technically SF. So I was thinking a police chief asking him some legitimate questions might not spook him too much but might invoke some action on his part that will tip his hat. I’m also going to recheck the customs and immigration database. An intel officer could have covered his tracks pretty well. We will need to pay a visit to the real person. It could be that James got to him before. James might be a pro liar but this man won’t be.” Longstreet proposed.

OOC: Im forgetting the whole story but there was an actual man that James duped his ID at the party. I do not remember how Shinzak identified James as the suspect. Or did he?

Longstreet

Joseph nodded in agreement “We’ll need to be careful how we approach this so as to not tip our hand. In the future, I suggest we meet in person, preferably not in any office. With the attempted bugging of Judge Rousseau’s house not so long ago I think it’s not out of the question the same thing would be attempted. I’ll start a file, taking this as a personal request from a Cabinet Member, how does that sound?” He asked.

Commissioner Karlson

OOC: James came in disguise as some businessman but said businessman wasn’t invited so Shinzak deduced that he must have been an intruder so he kicked him out of the party. At the same time, James revealed that the businessman did, in fact, work for him as some sort of stooge or something although no one knows that.
Hjortur

OOC: Got it.
IC: “Sounds good. I will press my source for more information.” Longstreet said. “Thanks Joseph. I did not want to get you involved but there was something that told me we needed to look into it.”

Longstreet

BUMP

Sidney

“I agree, if there is something irregular about him I think it’s our duty to learn what exactly.” Joseph said. He then paused for a moment “I’ll send for the man, invite him to my office, to be honest, it’s probably more nerve-wracking to come here than any police interrogation room, do you want this to be taken care of immediately?” He asked regarding a timetable.

Commissioner Karlson

” Tomorrow morning. I have some questions for my contact as well.” Longstreet answered. “Thanks Joseph.”

Longstreet then left. The truth was that he and the Chief had had disagreements in the past but the man had become a reliable collegue and dare say friend.

Longstreet

Longstreet then began to try and contact Apollonia who had conveniently disappeared while going to shop. Usually it was not hard to track people as everyone had a personal badge of some sort, SF or not, that they used for purchases and access to public services. Hers had not indicated anything. A search of the facial recognition and bio recognition system was coming up negative as well. Not that all surprising to Longstreet as she knew how to avoid detection very well. He just hoped she had not gotten into some trouble.

Meanwhile Apollonia was no where near a shopping district. She was using a device she had purchased that redirected bio sensors as well as gave a false facial recognition signal. It was illegal to own and use but that never stopped her. She had been talking to and paying some money out to choice and unsavory underground contacts she had been able to make in her short time on the planet. So far they had provide some of James’s movements here and there but she was not by far the only one who could move around undetected. What she wanted to know was his background or anything that would give her an avantage on the man. Because in reality she was intent on ruining him and then killing him. In that order to be precise.

Longstreet and Apollonia

OOC: Hope you don’t mind me butting in with the other brother
IC:

Although they were only the slightest ripples it was something he was looking for, Johann had promise protection for the Intelligence agent and his web of operatives allowed him to do just that, normally he would have just pointed the Commander in the direction of the disturbance but he was intrigued, to say the least, if this seeker was who he thought it was. He put out a whisper that someone with information was willing to meet with her at the Pale Horse Pub.

Johann Karlson

Apollonia received the information through the local criminal network and took the risk to make the meet. She put a subcutaneous tracking beacon on herself that in case of an emergency would send an alert with her position to Longstreet. It was discreetly located on her inner thigh as avoid detection and accidental activation. She also paid a local “lookout” well to watch her go in and if she did not come out in an hour to call a certain number. Redundancy was a good criminals friend.

As such she arrived at the Pale Horse Pub and went in.

Apollonia

The Pub had only a handful of customers, all humans sitting in pairs scattered around, Behind the large oval bar a Catian in a white shirt and dark vest looked at Apollonia and half smiled. He nodded to the back of the bar, on a raised platform where the private stalls were. At the end a large circular table in an open room with a curtain half drawn for privacy, she could see the outline of a thin man in a dark suit whose face was partially covered.

Upon reaching the area his face became clear, it was Jóhann Karlson, brother of the Police Commissioner and fairly well known businessman, he owned the bar they were in and most of the neighborhood they were in, shops, bars, hotels, apartment complexes and the like. He had a tea pot and two cups in front of him and was in the middle of pouring himself a cup when he saw the Orion beauty “Ahh welcome, Tea?” He offered.

Johann Karlson

“Well I imagine your my host.” She said and mentally willed the endorphins from her body. She had her best smile on and it was not an accident her blouse was low cut. She wore skirt that showed off her thighs. The real reason she wore it was that it was much easier to conceal the small phaser she had hidden in a small holster around the inside of her left thigh.

Apollonia

The man poured into two cups, pushing one towards the Orion and taking one for himself, his eyes turned to hers “I am just that, a host” His unusually accentless voice was calm “I’ve heard whispers that you are looking for information on a certain Starfleet Officer, the people you’re asking I take I you’re not a fan?” He asked raising his cup to his lips, taking a small sip.

Johann Karlson

“Lets say I wont say your wrong.” She said leaning toward him a little and letting the endorphins fly.

Apollonia

The older man chuckled “I’d advise against that” he raised his left hand and turned it slightly, a small wrist computer showed a warning regarding raised pheromones “I invited you here knowing full well who and what you are, precautions were taken” He took another sip “Besides there’s no need, I might have some information that could prove useful, I like to broker information where I can. So what is it you’re looking for specifically?”

Johann Karlson

Ok Apollonia thought. She was equally comfortable with this type of negotiating. In fact she preferred it. She suddenly went from a purring cat to a stone cold business person.

“Very well. I need information on the new Intelligence officer names James. I am willing to pay for it, within reason, and it has to be kept low profile.” She answered.

She too had done her homework. She knew who he was in general and knew who his brother was. It was always a risk when doing deals like these but from all the street contacts she had called upon this Johaan Karlson had a good reputation for being a good underworld contact. Which probably meant he had a bad reputation with people like Preston and his brother.

Apollonia

Johann nodded slowly and put his cup back in its saucer. He then reached inside his suit jacket and removed a small circular device and placed it on the table. He pressed a few commands and it started humming “For privacy, any audio or holographic recordings will be useless.” He said with a smile, the curtain moved automatically covering them from prying eyes “I generally prefer to have middlemen broker my information but this is more sensitive than if I were giving you background on say your Starfleet boy-toy” He smiled slightly at his own joke “Usually this would be a simple transaction, you’d get information for information no questions asked but this is a little different. I want to know why you’re looking so hard into someone so…” His lips curled into a cruel smile “Interesting”

Johann Karlson

“Because he looked into me.” She answered. “He did what many have done, what you yourself might be doing this very moment. Underestimated me. Then for near no reason and without any logical consideration he had some people I had helped out of a bad spot murdered. A woman and her child. As they said in the oldin days, A badge don’t make your right.” She said the last with a twang. She had seen the old cop movies replayed many times and enjoyed them.

She told him the truth and told him flatly. Though he might not know but might guess her intentions were an eye for an eye.

Apollonia

Johann was quiet for a moment as he considered her tale. After a minute he went into his right jacket pocket and removed a small black pouch then reached into his inside pocket and removed a dark wooden pipe. He then spent a few seconds filling up and preparing it and finally lighting it. After a few puffs, it was ready, the odor was a pleasant whiskey aroma “I do apologize, I find tobacco Smoke to have a calming effect, helps make decisions” He exhaled a cloud of smoke, partially covering his face “It’s funny actually, he’s not being very subtle, he tried something with me as well although not so very aggressive”

It was another minute before he spoke again “I need you to understand that this man is far more dangerous than you can imagine, he has influence over very powerful people, I once observed someone working for him and in an attempt to distract me he had someone spend millions of credits to try and short my Company, a company spanning dozens of worlds employing a ridiculously high number of people. But to kill people so blatantly was a foolish mistake” He knew that allying himself with this man had been a dangerous move but still, this was a gamechanger. The old man suppressed a smile, finally, an opponent worth destroying, now just to find a way to do it without being caught by his organization. His attention returned to the Orion beauty “James is part of a very secret group of Federation…” He hesitated for a moment, let out a chuckle then continued “I’d call them fanatics, efficient but fanatics nonetheless. The good thing is that they work in cells so although his reach is vast he doesn’t have any reliable backup. He’ll have access to advanced technology and whatever network of informants he’s built over his career” Jóhann smiled “But you’re in luck, because of the nature of Oed they don’t have an infrastructure, which is why I offered him mine”

Johann Karlson

Apollonia knew that allegiances were fleeting in the underworld. So she was not surprised that this Karlson would play both ends. She was no fool.

“I’m thinking of destroying this man before I actually destroy him. This is a long game. If your his associate then I’m not sure if I can trust you much if at all. If your the highest bidder kind of guy I wont be it. I do have contacts all over the Federation but I imagine you do too. So if you were to help me, in whatever way, what is the price.” She said straight on.

Apollonia

“Oh don’t worry, I don’t beray allies nor friends. Our mutual acquaintance is neither.” Johann paid some attention to his pipe before continuing “I think I’ll give you this information as a foundation for a new relationship, a mutually beneficial relationship, provided you survive your little war with the Commander, well that and maybe you support a nice charity or something” His voice filled with dry humor “James is a member of a secret Cabal of Federation fanatics. They have practically unlimited power and no real morals, some of the most interesting people in our Federation that’s for certain. They work in cells and without any supervision. To be frank, I’ve only ever had a limited amount of interaction with them, I do my best work when they don’t pay attention to me.” He had just supplied her with some dangerous information, whatever happened next would be interesting.

Johann Karlson

“Well I always pick tough enemies. Why else fight? You know if your not scared then I could use some little help here and there with this. Trust me this man will be bad for your business too sooner or later.” Apollonia said knowing it was the truth on both sides.

Apollonia

Jóhann smiled at her statement, she was right he knew that James would turn out to be bad for business eventually, but so would openly going against him, seems like Apollonia was as much what he needed as he was what she needed “Alright then, you’ve got a deal. I’ll grant you assistance, support from the shadows. We won’t speak again if you ever need anything then leave a handwritten note at the entrance to your home. One of my people will take care of it, no one I have contact you will be aware of who their boss is for… security reasons.” he put his hand out across the table “Are we in agreement?” He asked.

Johann karlson

She smiled and extended her hand and gave him a strong handshake. “Deal. I will communicate the basics of the plan soon through the system you prefer.”

At this she rose and smiled again as she turned and left making sure her backside swung from side to side as she went.

Apollonia

Johann watched the woman leave with a smile, he resisted the urge to say ‘If only I were forty years younger’.

Johann Karlson

OOC: To make this work I propose we take the character of James and rp him for now or the thread will die and I don’t really want that to happen. As long as Sam has been LOA its the only way to work this.

Longstreet

OOc: Alright, so long as it’s fine with Sam I’m ok with it, I’d very much like to see this go on.
Hjortur


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