The Pilot Who Tried to Get Away, Part 2: A Quick Arrest
Posted on Sat Nov 15th, 2025 @ 4:39pm by Commander Irene Seya & Commander Maxun Spello & Major Clay McEntyre III & Lieutenant Jean-Baptiste Dorsainvil
1,180 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Peril at the Unification Accords
Location: Barisa Prime Starfleet Operations Security Suite
Timeline: MD 08, 1810 Hours (After Part 1)
Rethel didn't sit. She didn't need to--she moved a few paces aside and stood near the wall, a silvery shadow against the eggshell white of the suite. Without her formal robe, she looked more like a soldier--her attire dark and close-fitting, cut to precision. The faint sheen of the hem caught the overhead light, capable of drawing eyes to the curve of her shoulder, the stillness in her stance, and the power that rested quietly beneath restraint.
As Rethel crossed the room Irene continued to regard Aerev with curiousity, though she only watched from the corner of her eye, taking in every detail that she could without turning to the Romulan fully.
Aurev was sitting up straighter now, her curiousity peaked by Rethel's presence.
"Something interesting, Commander?" She asked.
Maxun's El Aurian senses picked up the change in the room. He also caught the words that had just been said to Irene. He glanced over the data PADD he had been given, then put it down. "You tell me," he looked her in the eyes levelly. "And, before you do, you should know that the charges in the crime now include murder. So, I strongly advise you, to speak honestly, clear and now." Though he looked and seemed calm, he was finished playing games.
"Well that is interesting..." Aerev replied. "Care to tell me who died?"
Without blinking, as he read her face and felt her vibrations, Maxun replied simply, "The Ambassador." He then watched for any reaction.
Clay glared at the pilot, watching keenly, much like Spello was for any sign of reaction or deception. He continued to put forth his best look of intimidation.
"Ambassador T'Varel? The one who was speaking tonight? There are many ambassadors present at the conference this week," Aurev replied. "I understand that she was well-liked, by most. I don't know that she was all that influential. Seems an unusual target, don't you think? Who might want her dead?"
Maxun listened closely to what was both said and wasn't said. "Not all that influential?" He echoed. "She was the keynote speaker for the talks that would help bring the Romulan and Vulcan people back together finally, after all the hard work that Ambassador Spock had done years ago to get things rolling." He paused, then asked, "You think that's not all influential?"
"I suppose my opinion doesn't matter. Perhaps she meant more to you Federation types, but she was to far removed from the common people. Particularly after the Hobus supernova," Aerev volunteered. "I'm sure she gave a lovely speech tonight, and was bound to give many more. And I'm sure the elite guests here much would have enjoyed being able to fraternize in her presence."
"I'm sure your Marine here, brutish as he's tryign to appear probably understands a little bit about how the working class people can feel left out of such a movement, alienated from it even," Aerev tapped her fingers on the table and looked up at Clay ignoring the menacing way he was glaring at her. Too many other Starfleet officers around for him to do anything foolish.
Maxun arched an eyebrow slightly. "One would think that peace is a relatable subject to everyone. And the Federation doesn't look at her citizens in classes. We are all equal, capable of achieving whatever it is that we set our minds to." He paused, then continued. "However, we are not here for an ethics lesson. We are here to discuss you and why you felt it was a good idea to attempt escape from a crime scene, then refuse lawful orders to return." He paused again, then dropped the hammer. "As you are, thus far, the only individual who has shown to be suspicious, then you are also the only person of interest in this attack. Thus," he glanced at Clay nodding to him to do his duty, before looking back at the woman. "In lieu of a security officer present, Major Clay here will now officially place you under arrest. The charge, is murder. If you wish to confess any part you hand in it, it will be taken into record. Otherwise, I suggest you speak to your legal council, if you have one. If not, one will he appointed to you by the Federation Court System." He took in a breath and asked, "Is there anything you wish to tell us at this point?"
Clay had started to speak before he quickly closed his mouth. Anything he would have said was now mute as he was ordered to arrest the woman.
Nodding, he moved to the woman, withdrawing a pair of electronic manacles from his duty belt, gesturing for the woman to stand before placing her hands behind her back and cuffing her. He looked at Spello with a look of anger, disappointment. Clay didn’t think they had enough evidence to arrest the pilot but it was not his place to question the orders of his superior officer. That was for a different time than this.
“Madame, if you’ll come with me?”
As he walked with Aerev, he gave Spello another look, of just anger, furrowing his brow as Clay and Aerev both exited the room.
“You’re a gigantic horses ass, *Sir*” and with that, the two exited for the transporter deck.
Spello knew that the evidence was thin right now. However, with Romulans, one had to play with a different set of cards to get them to speak. Arrest first, then find the evidence. Would he recueve flack for it from above, probably. However, a Federation Ambassador had been murdered in full view of an entire peace summit. Right now, the rulebook had to be turned upside down.
If the Romulan turned out to ge innocent, he would take the punishments from above. He'd lived through worse, after all. He was simply staying true to his own moral compass and loyal to the promise he made many, many years before the crew of the Asteea was born.
He would do everything in his power to keep the United Federation of Planets, her citizens and allies, safe from any attack, both foreign and domestic.
Aerev smiled at the tension between the two Starfleet officers. "I assume you'll be giving me an opportunity to speak with my lawyer?" She asked calmly.
Maxun nodded. "Of course. Though you are not a Federation citizen, you do still have rights under our laws."
Commander Maxun Spello
First Officer
USS Astrea
Major Clay McEntyre III
Marine Commanding Officer
USS Astrea
Commander Irene Seya (& Aerev)
Security Liason
USS Astrea
Lieutenant Jean-Baptiste Dorsainvil (as Vice-Proconsul Rethel)
Assistant Chief Security Officer
USS Astrea
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