A Romulan Interrogation, Part I

Posted on Wed Dec 10th, 2025 @ 11:58pm by Lieutenant Jean-Baptiste Dorsainvil & Sub-Lieutenant Osirin Acainus & Captain Remy Johansen & Lieutenant Commander Xalanth & Lieutenant JG Jezra Siv MD

2,093 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Peril at the Unification Accords
Location: Interrogation Room 2, Deck 5
Timeline: MD 08, 1825 Hours

Remy stepped into the corridor where Xalanth was waiting while Valik spoke with his attorney. She held the door open with her body as she gestured for Xalanth to come back inside the suite and join her and the sub-commander.

"Lieutenant," she began seriously. "I don't know how much of this we should reveal to our guest, but I just came here from a meeting with Dr. Siv." Remy looked back over at Osirin, catching his eye as well before continuing.

"The Ambassador didn't make it. This is now a homicide investigation."

"I trust your judgement, of course," the captain added. "I thought Osirin here, with his training, personality, and the fact that he isn't in a Starfleet uniform, might be able to soften communication a bit. But I want you both to aware of the situation."

"Also," she continued, "Our Starfighters just had to ground a shuttle that tried to leave the surface against orders. I'll be sending a team down to investigate."

The ambassador's death was disconcerting to the Akadian, but it wasn't a shock.

"That does raise the stakes," he said. "I don't have a lot of experience in interrogating someone, especially someone who is suspected of murder. But, I am good a reading people, discerning their tells. And the fact that I'm not Starfleet should be an asset too. Do you want me to talk to him alone, or with someone else present?"

Xalanth said a prayer to the ancestors for the ambassador as he ran his head. "I think you talking to him alone would be best. I'll be monitoring of course."

Osirin nodded, keeping his facial expression neutral. He wanted the prisoner to feel as relaxed as he could under the circumstances. Having the Vulcan out of the room would make that easier, but it would negate the opportunity for him to try the good cop, bad cop strategy he'd heard about.

Nervous, but placing faith in M'Veira, Valik remained seated at the table. His hands were clasped together on the table, subtle drumming of his fingers against his knuckles being the only movement from him.

"Good evening," he said as he stepped forward. "As you can see, I'm not in Starfleet. We need to talk. You need to tell me what you know and what you did."

M'Veira did not rise when the Akadian entered. She remained seated across from Valik, her posture very crisp, her chin slightly inclined as though she were evaluating an artwork that might be counterfeit.

"Mister Osirin, is it?" she asked, her voice kept low but barbed. "You've just informed a detainee that he needs to say something. Are you aware that phrasing a question in that way constitutes coercion under Article Seven of the Federation Charter of Sentient Rights?"

Osirin kept his facial expression neutral, avoiding rolling his eyes or showing signs of anger or aggression.

"As you can see," he said, pointing to his uniform, "I am not Starfleet. So, I'm not familiar with the statute you mentioned. However, I am confident, Counselor, that my question didn't violate the letter or the spirit of that statute. There was no threat, real or implied. Which would be what coercion would imply."

"We have a dead woman, and I believe that your client has valuable information. Hearing his side of the story is valuable for both him and us. So, if he wants to clear his name, it would be in his best interest to discuss things. I'd say he should want to talk."

M'Veira turned her head slightly toward Osirin, the artificial glow of her pupils catching the overhead lights. "You have told him this is now a homicide investigation. You have implied his cooperation is the means by which he might clear his name. Whether you intended threat or not is irrelevant, Mister Osirin. Intent is the last refuge of the careless."

She leaned forward a fraction, enough that the surveillance node in the ceiling caught the blue flare in her eyes. "I will remind you--and anyone listening--that my client is not required to exonerate himself. You are required to prove guilt. And until such time, he is under no burden to persuade you of his innocence."

Osirin was able to avoid rolling his eyes. But only barely. "In court, I am required to prove guilt. This isn't a court."

"You are correct, he is not required to answer my questions. But perhaps he would like to."

Osirin turned to fully look at Valik. "I'm not Starfleet. I am just looking for answers. Would you answer them?"

M'Veira's gaze stayed on Osirin for a long moment. Then, with a tiny exhale, she shifted in her chair a couple of inches closer to Valik. Just enough so that her shoulder angled between him and the Akadian. She didn't touch him--she wouldn't dare do that here.

But she lowered her voice to something barely above a whisper, meant only for him.

"Do not answer a question that is phrased as a favour," she murmured softly. "It binds you to a narrative you didn't author." Her artificial eyes moved lazily to the surveillance node, then returned to Valik. "Speak only when the shape of the question serves you. Not before. Not after."

Whether or not the man was Starfleet didn't matter when the "questions" so far were phrased with the illusion of choice. Valik briefly glanced at M'Veira before his gaze focused back onto Osirin, offering no noticeable reaction to what was murmured. "What are your questions?"

"Why don't we start with giving me a rundown of last evening from your perspective. Start with your arrival up until the incident with the ambassador."

Xalanth took his place outside the room, pulling out a Tr116 eyepiece that he clipped over his eye and activated, allowing him to see into the integration room, while the Captain settled into a chair and watched from a viewscreen inside the security suite.

There was a momentary flicker of confusion in the form of an eyebrow raise at that before Valik composed himself. The Romulan normally wouldn't consider the prior day's events to be relevant, but if they were ruling out premeditation, then it could make sense. Regardless, it said enough about how little they trusted him. "I checked into the hotel on Barisa Prime last night, spent this morning and afternoon touring the various offerings of entertainment on the planet, then went to the reception at the scheduled time. I was deciding who to engage with when the Ambassador collapsed."

M'Veira looked from Osirin to the surveillance node. "I believe my client's explanation can be verified through the various security monitoring present at the conference center."

"We'll check it out," Osirin replied, keeping his expression and tone neutral. "Thank you for responding to me. Did you make physical contact with the ambassador or talk to her at any time prior to her collapse?"

"No," Valik simply responded. He knew their meeting a couple of months ago wasn't relevant to this, but it still put a hint of hesitation into his answer.

M'Veira caught the hesitation in her client's answer. You didn't have to be a telepath to sense it. Anyone with even the tiniest perception would have observed it. And now it was her job to steer the interrogator away from it if she could.

"Mister Osirin," she said, almost cordial. "If your line of inquiry now concerns telepathic impressions or emotional resonance, I should remind you that such domains are notoriously unreliable in investigative contexts. Particularly across species."

"Who said I was using telepathy, or emotional resonance for that matter? I am simply using powers of observation, and what those observations and a bit of logic are telling me is that your client is not being entirely forthcoming."

Then he turned to fully look at Valik. "Isn't that right sir?"

M'Veira sighed, the only indication being a slight slump of her shoulders. She knew Valik had nothing to hide but personal privacy to her was paramount. She turned her gaze to her client, hoping he'd see in her eyes that it was now time to lay it all on the table for Starfleet to see. She was confident that anything Starfleet might have would be nothing more than circumstantial at best--and she was certain the Akadian would never be able to prove Valik had a hand in this unfortunate incident.

Valik glanced at M'Veira again, catching the look. Why did she try to anticipate telepathic interference? Even if the non-Starfleet man did decide to invade his privacy, the Romulan doubted he could obtain anything useful. He took in a slow and steady breath. "I met with the Ambassador a couple months ago, but I did not interact with her while on Barisa Prime," he clarified. Especially given how that meeting had gone, he wasn't particularly enthusiastic to share the details. Besides, it wasn't like he was lying, he was just... choosing what to disclose.

"I think now would be the prudent time for a break," M'Veira suggested, rising from her chair. "It would give you the time you need to verify Valik's story, and I'd like to take the time to review a few points with my client."

As Osirin made his way out of the interview room, Captain Johansen slipped out of the security suite and walked to the interview room. She nodded at Lieutenant Xalanth, "Hold the door open, Lieutenant."

Remy then situated herself in the threshold of the door, glancing only briefly at Valik before turning to his attorney. "Counsel M'Veira, I'm Captain Johansen, commanding officer. Could I have a word?"

M'Veira flicked her eyes over to Valik for long moment before turning her head back to face the Captain. Without a word, she clasped her hands behind her back and motioned with her head that Remy should lead the way.

As Remy led M'Veira down the corridor she began speaking.

"I doubt we would have had enough to detain your client much beyond initial questioning on scene if he hadn't attempted to flee the area and disarm my officers," Remy admitted. "But as you know, attempting to disarm a Starfleet Security Officer is enough for us to hold him here for charges. If your guy is innocent of any foul play with the Accords, I suggest you talk to him seriously about passing along whatever information he knows and perhaps we can look the other way and call the incident earlier a misunderstanding."

The Romulan solicitor listened closely to what Remy had to offer. There was a long moment while they continued their plodding pace along the Deck Five corridor. M'Veira knew Remy Johansen by reputation, and hers was that of a straight-shooter.

"I appreciate your candor, Captain," M'Veira said with a slight nod. "I'll offer you this: Mister Valik had no hand in this tragedy."

M'Veira stopped short, her eyes lowering to the deck beneath their feet. She stared down for a few long moments before turning to look Remy in the eye. "I'll speak to him and make sure he knows it's best to share anything he knows. If he agrees, you'll have him returned to the planet within the hour. Deal?"

Remy turned so that she was facing M'Veira. "He'll be returned when we are satisfied that he's shared what he knows and has been completely truthful," she replied. "But, you have my word there will be no unnecessary delay."

"Acceptable," she said, nodding. "I'll need a few minutes to confer with my client."

"Understood," Remy replied. "Mr. Xalanth can see that you get a private conference." The Captain held out her arm and gestured that they should walk back toward the interrogation room.

---

Captain Remira Johansen
Commanding Officer
USS Astrea


Lt. Commander Xalanth
Chief Security Officer
USS Astrea


Sub-Lieutenant Osirin Acainus
Mission Advisor
USS Astrea


Lieutenant Jean-Baptiste Dorsainvil (as M'Veira)
Assistant Chief Security Officer
USS Astrea


Lieutenant J.G. Jezra Siv (as Valik)
Chief Medical Officer
USS Astrea

 

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