Preliminary Findings, Part I
Posted on Sat Mar 21st, 2026 @ 9:18pm by Captain Philippe Auvray & Major Clay McEntyre III & Lieutenant Commander Ryan Keel & Captain Remy Johansen & Lieutenant Commander Nash Winters & Lieutenant Commander Xalanth & Commander Maxun Spello
2,296 words; about a 11 minute read
Mission:
Peril at the Unification Accords
Location: Transporter Room 2 / Observation Lounge
Timeline: MD09, 1600 Hours
Captain Philippe Auvray's molecules were reassembled with his chin already lifted, as if he were beaming onto a stage and not the transporter pad of a Federation starship. He smoothed the front of his uniform once, flattening the imaginary creases over his gut, and his eyes adjusted to the change in light.
For a moment, he said nothing. The gentle whine of the transporter coils faded somewhere off to the side of the room.
Commander Irene Seya stood to his left, still and self-contained. She had impeccable posture--as neat as a drawn line with a ruler. To his right, Vice-Proconsul Rethel emerged from her own transporter glow, the unmistakable heavy presence of a Romulan official tilting the gravity of the room.
Auvray took a slow, deep breath and flicked his eyes over to the transporter officer, who straightened his posture and nodded crisply. "Captain Auvray, sir," he said loudly and firmly, "Captain Johansen is waiting for you in the Observation Lounge."
The Parisian security officer inclined his head with a small, courtly dip. "Merci." His voice came out softer than usual, the French lilt still there but it was subdued, as though wrapped in linen.
He glanced back at Irene. "Not even twenty-four hours," he murmured, more to himself. "It already feels as though it has been a week."
"You could use some rest, Captain," Irene suggested gently. She knew it was best to tread lightly with Auvray. In her many years among humans, she had learned that individuals like Auvray are often using a bold facade to hide delicate egos.
"Rest?" he repeated, as though she'd suggested he take up gardening as a hobby. He adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves with careful precision. "My dear Commander, if I sleep now, I will dream of synaptic pathways and ghost particles. I much prefer the waking world. It is, at least, honest about its cruelties."
He clasped his hands behind his back, posture straightening as they approached a viewport. Barisa Prime appeared like a blue-green orb against a backdrop of starlight.
"Captain Auvray, if I may be so candid," Irene began. "In times like these, experience has taught me to trust nothing. Scrutiny shall be the path to the answers that we seek. Anything less would be illogical."
He saw the reflection of his own face superimposed over the planet--grey around the temples and his jowls appearing softer.
"Irene, you make it sound so... antiseptic." He sighed and turned the corner, entering an open turbolift. "But I agree with you. We trust nothing. Not the sensor logs. Not the catering manifest. Least of all the maudit silence of those who weep the loudest." Auvray glanced over to Rethel, herself with one eyebrow cocked.
"Especially not the silence," the Vice-Proconsul agreed.
"Deck One," Auvray commanded and the turbolift shot away to its destination.
* * * Observation Lounge * * *
Maxun stood next to Remy, as both officers gazed out the viewports, towards the planet they were currently orbiting. "As I already said to Clay, Captain, should how I handled the interrogation backfire, I will take the full brunt of responsibility. Astrea and the rest of the crew will not be penalized. Not if I have anything to say about it."
"I'm not worried about it, Commander," Remy shook her head. "One interrogation among this entire catastrophe when a prominent member of the Vulcan community has died can hardly be the reason for anyone's downfall."
"That Romulan defied direct orders and an Ambassador is dead," Remy stated bluntly. "You did what you thought was best."
Stalking into the room, Keel noted the Captain and the Executive Officer talking, and cleared his throat loudly. He offered a friendly smile as he was evidently interrupting their conversation. 'Heard we were to assemble here in a few minutes. I'm early, so can hang out in the corridor while you finish your confab?' He jerked a thumb to the door behind him to helpfully emphasize the point.
"No, please join us," the Captain reassured him as Lieutenant Commander Keel announced his presence. She and Spello had recently put some effort into increasing his security access into the intelligence division to enhance his current position; they had given him a new title to reflect the intel component that had been added to his original assignment in diplomatic affairs. As a former Marine the Captain was confident that that his wide array of experience would be useful in navigating the complex situation that was developing.
"We are just waiting for Captain Auvray," she told him. "I'm not sure who else may be joining him."
'Another audience with Auvray,' Keel flashed an even brighter smile. 'What a delight it will be I'm sure.' He took a few more purposeful steps into the room, and spied the replicator. Advancing more enthusiastically, he made for the machine and programmed it to generate a strong Rigelian coffee. Clutching the mug in his hand, he turned back to his senior officers. 'So I take it he hasn't enlightened anyone ahead of time what the meeting is about? He'll want to conduct it to his own tune I'm sure.'
Maxun frowned slightly. "No, he hasn't." He let out a frustrated breath, then continued. "Captain Auvray does enjoy his theatrics. We shall just have to wait to see what new surprises he has in store for us."
"Maybe he's come to tell us that his team is taking over the investigations," Remy speculated as she eyed the door. "We spoke this morning. He seemed more than eager."
The doors to the Observation Lounge parted. Captain Philippe Auvray--in his gold security uniform--entered first. He didn't appear hurried as he crossed the threshold with his carefully composed expression. Behind him came Commander Irene Seya, measured and quiet, and finally, Vice-Proconsul Rethel, whose presence seemed to cast a long shadow over the room.
Auvray took in the assembled officers--Spello by the viewport, Remy seeming composed but watchful, Keel with a mug of something hot, and several other members of the senior staff. Only the Dragonian security chief appeared familiar.
His eyes lingered on the steaming mug before Keel.
"Ah," he said softly, stepping farther into the room. "At least someone here understands the necessity of stimulants."
'It's been a long few days,' Keel was willing to admit that they had been run ragged since the assassination. 'The coffee helps, Captain,' he concluded politely with a small smile. 'Would you or one of the others care for a drink? Warm or cold, the choice is theirs.'
"Mister Keel," the heavyset captain said, snapping his fingers. "Une idée magnifique! Un espresso. Double. No sugar, if you please."
Maxun moved to stand next to his commanding officer in silent respect and support. He was already starting to get a bad feeling. Not about what had thus far been said, but what had yet to be uttered.
Keel flashed a smile at the order, considering a double espresso to be the drink of soft, desk-bound men. Not a proper coffee for the field. He held his tongue, though, and inputted the order into the replicator, before bringing the tiny steaming cup in its saucer to the Captain. 'I know this won't do the real thing justice, but it's the best one we have in the system,' he offered.
Clay came in from the other side, quietly taking his place at the table, though he knew that he wouldn't be a popular face at the moment.
Chief Engineer Winters snuck his way into the Observation Lounge and found a seat. ‘Just in the nick of time.’ , he thought to himself. He nodded respectfully to Johansen and Spello.
"Please, Captain, have a seat," Johansen offered, gesturing to one end of the table before turning to walk to the opposite end - opposing heads. "No need to dispense with pleasantries. We are all familiar with one another, I believe. You can let us know why you called this meeting."
Chairs moved with the small, restrained sounds one would expect at the start of an important meeting. Commander Seya took the seat to Auvray's right while Rethel lowered herself opposite her, her robes settling as she did.
Taking his seat, Keel was glad to take a load off. He was tired enough that if Auvray droned on long enough he might fall asleep despite his industrial-strength coffee. Flicking a quick look of curiosity in the Romulan's direction, he wondered what they were in store for.
Spello sat down in his customary seat, located to Remy's right. His natural senses were a fire with messages that there was more happening here than they were being told.
Xalanth had just been out of medbay, being scrubbed for radiation. He smiled at the room as he stepped through the door giving every one a nod as he took his seat.
Auvray motioned diplomatically to Rethel and addressed the Astrea's assembled officers.
"For those of you who have not been formally introduced, this is Vice-Proconsul Rethel," he indicated the woman directly to his left. "She is my counterpart from the Romulan Free State."
Rethel nodded to the assembled officers, recognizing some of the faces including Major McEntyre and Commander Spello.
"And this is Commander Irene Seya," Auvray said, indicating the Vulcan woman to his immediate right. "Most recently part of Ambassador T'Varel's diplomatic security team."
Although the Captain had not interacted with everyone there, she recognized them from the conference brief. She took in their faces and expressions now that they were sharing a more intimate space.
Auvray, however, chose to remain standing, his chubby fingers grasping the back of the chair.
He accepted the porcelain cup and saucer from Keel with a grave nod but still remained on his feet. He took a long moment to examine the surface of the espresso, the thin crema trembling under the observation lounge's lights. He then closed his eyes and inhaled once. A small upturn of the corners of his mouth signaled his approval. Then, finally, he drew back his chair and seated himself.
"Before we begin," he said lightly, lifting the cup, "my adjutant, Lieutenant Commander Torab, is en route. He will join us momentarily."
He sipped while the room seemed to wait.
The pompous French captain didn't rush to swallow. He allowed the liquid to complete its journey from lips to tongue, to palate, to throat--as was intended. When he set the cup down, it made the smallest clink possible. Perhaps, a porcelain punctuation mark.
"Now," he said.
Auvray's gaze landed gently--almost fondly--on the El-Aurian Executive Officer.
"The arrest of Doctor Aerev," he continued, "is presently under review by the Judge Advocate General's office at Starbase 617. They are also examining a dissenting statement submitted by Majeur McEntyre." A small smile crossed his face. "A thorough marine, your Major. Though, thorough individuals are so often inconvenient."
Captain Johansen's eyes remained focused on Auvray, deliberately avoiding contact with both the Major and her First Officer.
Maxun remained silent, not taking the obvious bait to say something that might be twisted against him, McEntyre, Remy or the ship. If he had to fall on his sword to protect the others, he would do so willingly. He had faced far more dangerous foes in the past, after all. This pompous French captain was no real threat. At best he was someone who could become a severe annoyance.
Clay said nothing. He kept his face neutral. He didn't agree with the arrest. Even if Doctor Aerev wasn't a federation citizen, she was still entitled to the protection of the law. Spello, in Clay's opinion, railroaded her to close a case.
Auvray took a short, deep breath before continuing.
"Starfleet Command," he went on, "has likewise received a letter of formal protest from the Romulan Free State's ambassador."
At this, his eyes moved ever so slowly from Rethel to Keel, measuring their reactions.
"One does not often see such efficiency in outrage. It is almost admirable."
He lifted the espresso again. Another quick sip--smaller this time.
"Consequently," Auvray said, replacing the cup back down on the saucer, "this matter is no longer confined to your ship, Captain Remy."
Continued at: Preliminary Findings, Part II
Captain Remira Johansen
Commanding Officer
USS Astrea
Captain Philippe Auvray
Senior Starfleet Security Liaison
Starfleet Security
(NPC of JB Dorsainvil)
Commander Maxun Spello
First Officer
USS Astrea
Lt. Commander Nash Winters
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Astrea
Lt. Commander Ryan Keel
Chief of Diplomatic Intelligence
USS Astrea
Lt. Commander Xalanth
Chief Security Officer
USS Astrea
Major Clay McEntyre III
Marine Commanding Officer
USS Astrea
Commander Irene Seya
Diplomatic Security Liaison
(NPC of Remy Johansen)
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